Dj Pancho - Melaza Music Production
DJ Pancho is a leading salsa DJ, cultural producer, and humanities-based arts presenter in New Mexico, with 35 years of continuous engagement in the Albuquerque community. He began cultivating his musical practice at a young age and, at 18, joined Salsa Sabrosa on 89.9 KUNM, where he helped document and share Afro-Caribbean salsa traditions across the region. Pancho developed his professional DJ style at The Cooperage, focusing on deep grooves, extended sets, and strong audience connection. As founder of Melaza Music Productions, he produces concerts and multidisciplinary festivals that integrate historical lectures, dance instruction, live demonstrations, and full-scale performances, highlighting the development of salsa in New Mexico within broader Afro-Caribbean diasporic histories. Dj Pancho is a retired Albuquerque firefighter with nearly 23 years of service, reflecting a lifelong commitment to community and culture.