Johnny progressed from performing on the timbales (tumbadora), to the bongos and then onto what his passion has become, the congas. "Performing on the congas is like energy to me, it’s contagious", Johnny says, "the more I perform, the more energized I am. This translates not only into the music, but also to my band and the audiences. The more I play, the more exciting it gets, not only for me, but for everyone." Johnny’s energy is a fever, drawing upon itself.

Johnny’s professional career started with the first band he formed, "The Johnny Zamot Band". They were discovered while performing at the famed New York City Jazz Club, The Metropole Café. Johnny’s band joined the ranks of legendary Jazz greats, who were frequently asked to perform at the club, such as Bennie Goodman, Lionel Hampton and Gene Krupa. "The Johnny Zamot Band" was performing tropical music at the time and was the first Latin band ever invited to perform at The Metropole Café. Tropical Music, now known as "Salsa", is a style which is synonymous with Johnny Ray, who gave life to this genre.

The band was immediately signed to Decca Records, who released their first album which contained the #1 Latin Jazz hit, "Fat Mama", a bugaloo. After the Decca Records contract was fulfilled, the band decided to sign a contract with Gema Records and released two more albums. After some internal changes during the bicentennial year, the newly formed "Society 76" signed a deal with Borinquen Records, a Puerto Rican label and released two albums distributed throughout the United States and South America. The new band included Pacqurito Pastore on the piano, the late Jose Rodriguez on trombone and two of Salsa's most infamous trumpet players, Ray Maldonado and Larry Spencer.

This all-star lineup proved to be most successful. "Society 76" went on to record for Fania Records in New York City. This is the label that made the name "Salsa" famous and pushed for worldwide recognition of this style of music.

PolyGram records signed the band and released two albums, one of which was "Mascarada". This album contained six #1 hits and quickly went gold. They also released "Night Gold" containing the hit "Bandolera". While recording the third album for PolyGram, the division which signed Johnny was shut down. Johnny's contract was then picked up by Capitol Records, who finished and released the album, "Your My Everything" of which the single of the same name became # 1.

To date, Johnny has released over 23 albums worldwide. All the while, during the recording of his many albums, Johnny was building a library of songs and music. He decided that he would produce and record his music, on his own label and seek worldwide distribution through the major labels. This is when Scala Musica and JZ Productions were founded. Johnny's own record label in which he released, "Suavecito" and "Dale Parriba", were both very successful albums internationally.

Many industry insiders have been known to say that Johnny is among one of the most professional musicians to work with in the business. Johnny is also credited with an inept ability to foresee the changes that music is taking and keep up with them. This is proven with every release to date. "The best thing is that my musical career has constantly evolved, I think that is the secret to my success in this business and it's what people expect from me, change". Performing is and always will be Johnny's passion and he will continue to please audiences, young and old for as long as they will listen. It seems that Johnny Ray will never have to stop doing what he loves the most.