Victor Venegas

Victor Venegas, elder statesman of the Latin bass for more than 50 years began his illustrious career on the south side of Chicago where his family had settled after leaving Durango Mexico. Inspired by the great blues tradition of the big bands that made their way through the city, Victor began playing the bass at local honky tonks of Chicago's South Side. He continued to hone his craft in the service where he played in the army band in Germany. After he completed his stint in the U.S. Army, Victor went back to Chicago where he met percussionist, Nicolas "Cuco" Martinez. By the time Armando Sanchez's Nuevo Ritmo arrived in Chi-town, these two musicians had become proficient in Afro-Caribbean music. Meeting Armando Sanchez in Chicago was to be the turning point in Venega's life.Vic became the bassist for Nuevo Ritmo that consisted of some of the very best Latin musicians in the country at the time in the 40s. Nuevo Ritmo emerged as the first "charanga" band in the U.S. inspiring the music of Charlie Palmieri and Johnny Pacheco. Victor's contribution and association with Nuevo Ritmo brought him to the West Coast where he played with such illustrious names in jazz and Latin jazz as Errol Garner, Cal Tjader, and Mongo Santamaria whose band he helped form. Moving to NY proved to be a wise choice, as he became the first call bassist for many of the top bands. Numbered among these were Eddie & Charlie Palmieri, Johnny Pacheco, Celia Cruz, la Lupe and Ismael Rivera y sus Cachimbos. His discography boasts a who's who in the business.Victor Venegas was an active musician up until his last two years. He played with the Latin Jazz Alliance as well as Zon del Barrio where he can be heard in his last recording. He taught music at both the Boy's Harbor Conservatory and the Bronx H.S. of Music under the direction of Willie Rodriguez, pianist for Machito and Conjunto Libre to name a few.In his last 17 years, Victor could always be seen alongside his life partner, Aida Martinez. He is survived by eight adult children.by Aurora Flores