Tony Succar
Tony Succar (born Antonio Guillermo Succar, May 18, 1986) is a Peruvian-American percussionist, composer, arranger, producer, and bandleader renowned for his contributions to Latin jazz, salsa, and tropical music.[1][2] Born in Lima, Peru, to a family of musicians, he relocated to Miami, Florida, at age two and began his formal musical training at age 13, initially on piano before specializing in percussion.[1] Succar earned a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Performance from Florida International University in 2008 and a Master of Arts in 2010, becoming the university's youngest Artist-in-Residence in 2012.[1][2] Throughout his career, Succar has collaborated with prominent artists such as Arturo Sandoval, Marc Anthony, and Tito Nieves, while founding Mixtura Productions to support emerging Latin talent.[2] His breakthrough project, UNITY: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson (2015), reimagined the pop icon's hits in salsa and Latin jazz styles, topping the Billboard Tropical Albums chart and earning a PBS special.[2] Follow-up albums like Más de Mí (2019) received four Latin Grammy nominations, and his 2023 collaboration with his mother, Mimí Succar, titled Mimy & Tony, featured the hit single "Sukiyaki."[2] Succar signed with Universal Music Group and has performed at major venues including the Latin Grammy Awards and the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival.[2] Succar's accolades include two Latin Grammy Awards in 2019 for Más de Mí—Best Salsa Album and Producer of the Year—making him the youngest artist to win both categories simultaneously.[2] In 2025, he and Mimí Succar won the Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Album for Alma, Corazón y Salsa (Live at Gran Teatro Nacional).[3] These honors underscore his role in bridging traditional Latin genres with contemporary sounds, influencing a new generation of musicians.[4]Early life
Family background and childhood
Antonio Guillermo Succar Tayrako was born on May 18, 1986, in Lima, Peru, to parents deeply immersed in music: his father, Antonio Succar, a pianist of Spanish, Lebanese, and Mexican descent, and his mother, Mimy Succar (née Miriam Tayrako Sakaguchi), a singer of Japanese-Peruvian heritage.[5][6][7] The family included Tony's older sister, Claudia, and younger brother, Brian Kenji, creating a close-knit dynamic that emphasized artistic expression from an early age.[8][9] In 1988, when Tony was two years old, the Succar family immigrated to Miami, Florida, fleeing Peru's political instability and terrorism during the late 1980s, in search of greater security and opportunities for their children.[10][11] This relocation marked the beginning of Tony's multicultural upbringing, blending his Peruvian roots with the vibrant Latin American community in Miami.[2] His parents continued their musical pursuits in the U.S., with Mimy Succar performing as the lead singer in the family band Mixtura, which fused various Latin genres and exposed the children to a rich tapestry of rhythms and traditions.[10][7] Tony's early years in Lima provided initial exposure to Peruvian heritage and Latin rhythms, including Afro-Peruvian and salsa influences that permeated family gatherings and his parents' performances.[2][12] The family's diverse ethnic backgrounds—Japanese from his mother's side, combined with his father's Latin American lineage—fostered an environment of cultural fusion, shaping Tony's worldview and innate connection to music during his formative childhood.[7][13] At age three, he began informal training on the Peruvian cajón, a box drum central to his family's musical legacy.[14]Introduction to music
Tony Succar first encountered music through his family's deep-rooted traditions, beginning to play the Peruvian cajón at the age of three in a self-taught manner shaped by constant exposure to live performances at home.[14] Born into a musical family in Lima, Peru, where his relatives included accomplished performers, Succar absorbed rhythms from an early age before the family relocated to Miami, Florida, when he was two.[1] This innate talent for percussion emerged organically, as he later recalled, "The first instrument that I picked up and started playing was a cajón," highlighting his intuitive connection to Afro-Peruvian folk elements.[14] By age thirteen, Succar transitioned to formal drum lessons and joined his parents' band, Mixtura, as a performer, marking his entry into structured musical training.[10] Mixtura, led by his father Antonio F. Succar on piano and his mother Mimy Succar Tayrako Sakaguchi as vocalist, provided a platform for his initial live engagements in Miami's vibrant Latin music scene.[14] These early appearances at weddings, private events, and corporate functions allowed him to hone his drumming while immersing himself in the local cultural milieu.[10] Succar's foundational influences drew heavily from Peruvian folk music, encountered through family gatherings, alongside salsa and Latin jazz rhythms prevalent in his parents' repertoire and Miami's diverse performances.[14] This blend fostered his passion for percussion, as he progressed from cajón to timbales and full drum sets, developing a distinctive style that merged traditional Peruvian cadences with American jazz and pop infusions.[14] His self-directed practice and familial encouragement laid the groundwork for a versatile approach, evident even in these formative years.[11]Education
High school years
Tony Succar attended Miami Sunset Senior High School in Miami-Dade County, Florida, graduating in 2004 during the mid-2000s. Although not particularly focused on academics, he was well-liked by his peers and actively participated in musical extracurricular activities at the school. Initially aspiring to become a professional soccer player, he played on the school's team that won the 2004 state championship.[10][11][15] During high school, Succar balanced his studies with weekend performances as a drummer in his parents' band, which played at weddings, private events, and corporate functions throughout Miami. His formal musical training began at age 13 on piano before specializing in percussion, having started on the cajón in childhood; these gigs allowed him to refine his techniques on instruments like timbales and congas in a live setting. His involvement in school music programs further supported this development, providing structured opportunities to practice and perform alongside classmates.[10][11] Growing up in the diverse Miami area, particularly Kendall, Succar was exposed to a wide array of music genres, including salsa, jazz, and Afro-Latin styles, influenced by the city's multicultural immigrant communities. This environment, combined with his family band's repertoire, fostered his early versatility as a percussionist and sparked personal growth in blending Peruvian roots with local sounds. Key achievements from this period included consistent local performances with his parents' band, which built his confidence and stage presence ahead of further musical pursuits.[10]University studies
Succar enrolled at Florida International University (FIU) in 2004 to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Performance, which he completed magna cum laude in 2008.[10] His undergraduate studies focused on percussion within the jazz program, building on his high school foundation in the instrument.[1] At FIU, known for its strong emphasis on Latin jazz, Succar honed his skills in ensemble performance and arrangement, integrating Afro-Latin rhythms into jazz frameworks.[16] Following his bachelor's degree, Succar continued at FIU for a Master of Arts in Jazz Performance, earning the degree in 2010.[2] During his graduate studies, he worked closely with faculty such as jazz percussion professor Rodolfo Zúñiga, who praised Succar's dedication and talent in blending diverse rhythmic traditions.[10] His academic pursuits emphasized the fusion of Peruvian folkloric elements, like those from Afro-Peruvian genres, with jazz improvisation and big band structures, as demonstrated in his 2010 graduate recital at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center, which featured cajón percussion and was later released as a live album with his band Mixtura.[17] Amid his university years, Succar assumed the role of musical director for his family's band during his junior year of college, renaming it Mixtura to reflect his evolving vision of multicultural Latin music.[11] This leadership position allowed him to apply his academic training in real-world performances, balancing coursework with gigs that showcased percussion-driven arrangements incorporating Peruvian and jazz influences.[18] In 2012, Succar became the youngest Artist-in-Residence at FIU.[1]Musical career
Early professional work
Following his graduation from Florida International University (FIU) in 2010, where his studies laid a strong foundation in jazz performance and arrangement, Tony Succar launched his professional career with the release of his debut album, Live at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center, on September 21, 2010.[19][20] The live recording, captured at FIU's Wertheim Performing Arts Center, featured Succar as percussionist, arranger, and bandleader, showcasing a blend of Latin jazz originals and standards performed with a ensemble of emerging musicians.[16] This project marked his transition from student to independent artist, highlighting his ability to produce a full-scale concert production including dancers and lighting, which was distributed as both a CD and DVD.[14] As a junior at FIU, Succar had already assumed the role of musical director for his family's band, which he rebranded as Mixtura, focusing on arranging and performing Latin jazz sets for events such as weddings and private parties in the Miami area.[11] Under his leadership, Mixtura evolved into a professional ensemble blending Afro-Peruvian rhythms with Cuban and jazz influences, performing regularly in South Florida venues and building Succar's skills in live orchestration. This role allowed him to experiment with multicultural arrangements, drawing on his Peruvian heritage and Miami's diverse music scene.[21] Succar's early professional network centered on collaborations with local Miami artists and his FIU connections, including performances alongside fellow alumni and faculty such as flutist Néstor Torres and saxophonist Ed Calle.[1] These partnerships often took place in intimate settings like university events and regional jazz clubs, where Succar contributed percussion and arrangements to joint sets that fused salsa, jazz, and Afro-Latin elements. In 2012, Succar was appointed as artist-in-residence at FIU's School of Music, becoming the youngest individual to hold the position at the institution.[22][1] In this capacity, he mentored students through workshops and collaborative projects, further integrating his professional work with educational initiatives while expanding his local influence.[23] Through consistent live performances with Mixtura and small-scale productions like his debut album, Succar steadily built a reputation in Miami's Latin music circuit as a versatile percussionist and innovative arranger during the early 2010s.[24] These efforts emphasized high-energy shows that attracted growing audiences, establishing him as an emerging figure in Latin jazz without relying on major label support.[25]Rise to prominence
The 2018 release of UNITY: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson propelled Succar to wider acclaim, leading to expanded live performances at major U.S. venues such as the Ravinia Festival in Chicago and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the 2019 Latin Grammy Awards, while embarking on international tours including appearances at the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival in Aruba, Auditorio Telmex in Mexico, and the Tempo Latino festival in France.[2] These engagements marked a significant growth in his profile, transitioning from local and educational residencies to high-profile global stages in the salsa and Latin music scenes.[26] In parallel, Succar established himself as a sought-after producer for salsa and Latin artists, collaborating on recordings with prominent figures such as Tito Nieves, India, Marc Anthony, and Sheila E., blending traditional rhythms with contemporary arrangements.[2] His production credits during this period highlighted his versatility in the genre, contributing to tracks that revitalized salsa's commercial appeal.[27] The release of his album Más de Mí in 2019 through his independent label Unity Entertainment represented a commercial breakthrough, earning four Latin Grammy nominations including Album of the Year, Best Salsa Album, Best Tropical Song, and Producer of the Year, and achieving #1 status on Billboard's Tropical Albums chart.[26][28] The project showcased Succar's evolution as a bandleader and composer, incorporating fresh salsa romántica elements that resonated widely in Latin music markets.[29] Succar's rising stature led to increased media visibility, with features in publications like Billboard discussing his innovative approach to salsa production and GRAMMY.com profiling his contributions to New York City's salsa heritage amid the promotion of Más de Mí.[26][27] These appearances solidified his reputation as a key innovator in the genre during the late 2010s. In Miami, Succar founded Mixtura Productions as his entertainment company and opened Unity One Studio, serving as a hub for his band's rehearsals and recording sessions, which further enabled his multifaceted role as producer and bandleader.[30][2] This infrastructure supported the band's world tours and ongoing projects, anchoring his operations in the city's vibrant Latin music community.[31]Major projects and albums
The Unity Project
The Unity Project originated as Tony Succar's vision to reimagine Michael Jackson's iconic hits through Latin musical lenses, blending pop melodies with rhythms from salsa, jazz, and tropical genres. Conceptualized around 2011 after Succar arranged a salsa-infused version of "Thriller" for a Miami Halloween party that garnered enthusiastic responses, the project evolved over several years into a full tribute album by 2014, emphasizing cultural fusion to honor Jackson's global influence while highlighting Latin artistry.[32][33] The recording process involved Succar as producer, arranger, and percussionist, initially planning to feature a single vocalist, Kevin Ceballo, but expanding to incorporate a diverse array of guest artists to capture varied interpretations of Jackson's songs. Notable collaborators included salsa legends Tito Nieves, La India, and Obie Bermúdez, alongside Jon Secada, Jean Rodríguez, and Michael Stuart, resulting in 12 tracks that fused orchestral elements with Latin percussion and brass sections for a rich, layered sound. Over 100 musicians contributed, reflecting Succar's percussion expertise honed in his early career, with arrangements that preserved Jackson's essence while infusing vibrant Latin grooves like montuno and timbales.[34][35][36] Released on April 14, 2015, by Universal Music Classics, Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson quickly achieved commercial success, debuting at number one on Billboard's Top Tropical Albums chart and maintaining strong positions in Latin music categories for weeks. The album's innovative approach to genre-blending resonated with audiences, selling steadily and establishing Succar as a bridge between pop and Latin markets.[37][38] Following the album's release, Succar embarked on a live tour featuring the Unity ensemble, performing reorchestrated Jackson tracks with a 37-piece orchestra and rotating guest vocalists. Key performances included the PBS Arts Fall Festival concert taped in Miami in July 2015, hosted by Sheila E., which aired nationwide in October and showcased hits like "Billie Jean" and "Human Nature" in Latin style. The tour extended to major festivals such as the Greater Hartford Jazz Festival in 2015 and the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival in Aruba in 2016, drawing large crowds and amplifying the project's cross-cultural appeal.[39][40][41] Critics praised Unity for its seamless integration of Michael Jackson's pop sensibilities with authentic Latin rhythms, hailing it as a "spectacular work of art" that revitalized salsa through innovative arrangements and stellar vocal performances. The project was lauded for bridging generational and cultural divides, with reviewers noting its infectious energy and respectful homage that introduced Jackson's music to new Latin audiences. Although ineligible for the 2016 Latin Grammy Awards due to language requirements—despite containing over 50% Spanish lyrics—it garnered early recognition through positive media buzz and paved the way for Succar's subsequent nominations in tropical and salsa categories.[42][43]Collaborations and later releases
In 2019, Succar released his sophomore album Más de Mí, a salsa romántica project featuring collaborations with artists like Jean Rodríguez, Angel López, and Havana D'Primera. The 12-track album blended romantic salsa with contemporary Latin sounds and earned four Latin Grammy nominations, including Best Salsa Album and Best Tropical Song.[45][46] Following the success of his earlier fusion projects, such as the Unity Project, which influenced Succar's approach to blending Latin genres, he increasingly pursued collaborations that highlighted familial ties and cultural roots in tropical music.[47] In 2023, Succar released the album Mimy & Tony in partnership with his mother, Mimy Succar, an album that emphasized intergenerational salsa through a mix of original compositions and covers.[48] The 11-track project, produced under Unity Entertainment Corp., features tracks like "Sin Fronteras" and "Sukiyaki," blending salsa rhythms with bolero influences to celebrate family heritage and musical legacy.[49] It garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Tropical Latin Album in 2024, underscoring its role in bridging generational gaps in Latin music.[12] Complementing the album, Succar co-directed the 2024 documentary Mimy & Tony: The Creation of a Dream with Santiago Díaz, which chronicles the production process and Mimy Succar's personal journey from local Peruvian gigs to her resurgence on La Voz Perú.[50] The film explores themes of perseverance and creative collaboration, including behind-the-scenes footage of the duo's recording sessions and Mimy's Japanese-Peruvian background.[51] Premiering at festivals like the Peruvian Film Festival in Toronto, it highlights how the album revived Mimy's career after decades focused on family.[52] Building on this momentum, Succar and Mimy released the live album Alma, Corazón y Salsa (Live at Gran Teatro Nacional) in 2024, captured during sold-out concerts in Peru that fused salsa with heartfelt tributes to Latin classics.[53] The 14-track recording, mixed in Dolby Atmos, includes performances of songs like "Quimbara" and "Bemba Colorá," emphasizing live energy and family collaboration.[54] It won the Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Album in 2025, recognizing its impact in tropical music circles.[55] Succar's recent work also includes partnerships with prominent Latin artists in the tropical genre, such as vocalist Nora Suzuki and singer Bartola on tracks from the live album, as well as a salsa version of "Apocalipsis" featuring Isabela Merced in 2025.[56] These collaborations extend his network with producers and performers in salsa and Afro-Peruvian styles, often incorporating guest spots from Orquesta de la Luz on earlier family projects.[57] In his later releases, Succar has shifted toward more prominently integrating Peruvian elements, drawing from his early training on the cajón and Afro-Peruvian rhythms like landó and festejo to enrich salsa arrangements.[21] This evolution is evident in the cultural depth of Mimy & Tony and the live Peru recordings, where traditional instruments and folkloric influences underscore his heritage.[14]Awards and honors
Latin Grammy achievements
In 2019, at the 20th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, Tony Succar received four nominations for his album Más de Mí, including Album of the Year, Best Tropical Song ("Más de Mí"), Best Salsa Album (Más de Mí), and Producer of the Year. He won in the Best Salsa Album and Producer of the Year categories, marking a pivotal moment in his career.[58][27] Succar's victories made him the youngest artist ever to win both the Best Salsa Album and Producer of the Year awards, a historic achievement that underscored his innovative fusion of traditional salsa with contemporary production techniques. As a Peruvian-American artist, these wins positioned him as a trailblazer, elevating the visibility of Peruvian talent in the Latin music industry and inspiring a new generation of salsa producers.[2][59] During his acceptance speech for Best Salsa Album, Succar shared an emotional dedication to his 94-year-old grandfather, crediting family roots for his success and emphasizing perseverance in the face of early career challenges. The industry response was overwhelmingly positive, with publications like Billboard describing the wins as Succar "coming full circle" from independent garage productions to major acclaim, while GRAMMY.com highlighted his role in bridging salsa's New York heritage with global innovation.[60][26][27]Other recognitions
In 2012, Succar was appointed as the youngest artist-in-residence in the history of Florida International University (FIU), where he continued to mentor music students and collaborate on projects following his graduation from the institution.[23][1] In 2015, despite the disqualification of his album UNITY: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson for insufficient Spanish lyrics, Succar received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Tropical Song for "Me Enamoré Más de Ti."[58][47] Building on his prior Latin Grammy successes, Succar achieved further global acclaim with a win at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025 for Best Tropical Latin Album, shared with his mother, singer Mimy Succar, for their collaborative live recording Alma, Corazón y Salsa (Live at Gran Teatro Nacional).[61][62] This victory marked a historic milestone as the first Grammy for Peruvian artists in this category, highlighting Succar's role in fusing Peruvian heritage with salsa traditions.[59] The 2025 Grammy prompted widespread international recognition from Peru, where Succar and Mimy Succar were celebrated by cultural institutions and the government for elevating Peruvian musical heritage on the world stage.[63][64] The documentary Más de Mí (2021), chronicling Succar's career journey, won awards including the IndieFEST Film Award for Best Documentary Short and recognition at the Universe Multicultural Film Festival.[65] As a sought-after producer, Succar has earned endorsements from industry peers for his innovative arrangements, including collaborations with legends like Arturo Sandoval, which have amplified his influence in Latin jazz and salsa production.[1]Discography
Studio albums
Tony Succar's studio discography reflects his evolution as a percussionist, composer, and producer within the salsa and Latin jazz genres, beginning with innovative tributes and progressing toward original compositions and familial collaborations. His debut studio album, Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson, released in 2015 on his independent label Unity Entertainment, reimagined Michael Jackson's hits through a salsa lens, blending pop melodies with Afro-Cuban rhythms and brass arrangements to honor the King of Pop while introducing Latin audiences to his catalog.[66] The album featured guest vocalists such as Tito Nieves on "I Want You Back," Jean Rodríguez on "Billie Jean," and Kevin Ceballo on "Man in the Mirror," alongside contributions from Jon Secada, Sheila E., and others, creating a fusion that highlighted Succar's arranging skills under the guidance of Jackson's longtime engineer Bruce Swedien.[67][34] It debuted at number one on the Billboard Tropical Albums chart and topped iTunes Latin charts, earning critical praise for its respectful yet energetic reinterpretations. The album was ineligible for Latin Grammy consideration due to language requirements.[68][47] Succar's sophomore effort, Más de Mí, arrived in 2019, also via Unity Entertainment, shifting focus to original salsa romántica tracks that incorporated modern production techniques like layered percussion and electronic accents to refresh the genre for contemporary listeners.[69] Key songs included "El Tren del Sabor" featuring Cimafunk and Alexander Abreu, "Tenemos Que Repetirlo" with Jean Rodríguez, and the title track "Más de Mí," which emphasized romantic themes with Succar's signature rhythmic drive.[70] The album's innovative approach—drawing from non-traditional song structures while rooted in classic salsa—garnered four Latin Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Tropical Song, ultimately winning Best Salsa Album and Producer of the Year at the 20th Annual Latin Grammy Awards. Commercially, it achieved strong streaming performance and positive reviews for its vibrant energy and fusion elements, though specific sales figures remain undisclosed.[26] In 2020, Succar released Mestizo in collaboration with Venezuelan pianist Eric Chacón on Unity Entertainment, blending Peruvian and Venezuelan folklore with Latin jazz in an intimate format featuring acoustic instruments and guest vocals. Tracks like "Cardo o Ceniza" with Ella Bric and "Moliendo Café" with Luis Fernando Borjas highlight cultural fusion and rhythmic innovation.[71] Also in 2020, Raíces Jazz Orchestra, a collaborative big band project with Spanish pianist Pablo Gil on Unity Entertainment, explored Latin jazz standards and originals with a 16-piece ensemble, including tracks such as "Raíces Jam," "Más Que Nada" featuring Anaadi, and "Eye of the Hurricane" with Richard Bona. The album emphasizes orchestral arrangements and improvisational solos.[72] In 2023, Succar released Mimy & Tony in collaboration with his mother, Peruvian singer Mimy Succar, on Sony Music Latin, celebrating intergenerational bonds through a mix of covers and new arrangements that bridged 1970s salsa classics with fresh interpretations.[73] Standout tracks featured "Sin Fronteras" with Haila Mompié and La India, "Sukiyaki" alongside Nora Suzuki and Orquesta de la Luz, and "Quimbara" reimagining Celia Cruz's hit, blending Succar's production with his mother's soulful vocals to evoke nostalgia while appealing to new fans.[48] The album received a Grammy nomination for Best Tropical Latin Album in 2024.[65] Across these releases, Succar's production style has matured from homage-driven arrangements in Unity—emphasizing orchestral swells and guest spotlights—to experimental sonic textures in Más de Mí, intimate fusions in Mestizo and Raíces Jazz Orchestra, and heritage-infused collaborations in Mimy & Tony, consistently prioritizing rhythmic innovation and cultural fusion.[4][68]| Album | Release Date | Label | Key Guests | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson | 2015 | Unity Entertainment | Tito Nieves, Jean Rodríguez, Kevin Ceballo | #1 Billboard Tropical Albums |
| Más de Mí | 2019 | Unity Entertainment | Cimafunk, Alexander Abreu, Jean Rodríguez | Latin Grammy wins for Best Salsa Album and Producer of the Year |
| Mestizo | 2020 | Unity Entertainment | Eric Chacón, Ella Bric | Cultural fusion of Peruvian and Venezuelan folklore |
| Raíces Jazz Orchestra | 2020 | Unity Entertainment | Pablo Gil, Anaadi, Richard Bona | Big band Latin jazz project |
| Mimy & Tony | 2023 | Sony Music Latin | Haila Mompié, La India, Nora Suzuki | Grammy nomination for Best Tropical Latin Album (2024) |