Poncho Sanchez

Not to be confused with Sancho Panza.
Poncho Sánchez

Poncho Sanchez performing in 2014
Background information
Birth name Poncho Sanchez
Born (1951-10-30) October 30, 1951
Laredo, Texas, U.S.
Genres Jazz, Latin, Latin jazz
Occupation(s) Musician, Arranger, Composer, Record producer
Instruments Conga, vocals, timbales, percussion
Years active 1975–present
Labels Concord Records, Universal

Poncho Sánchez (born October 30, 1951), is a Mexican American conguero (conga player), Latin jazz band leader, and salsa singer. In 2000, Sanchez and his ensemble won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album for their work on the Concord Picante album Latin Soul. Sanchez has performed with artists Cal Tjader, Mongo Santamaría, Hugh Masekela, Clare Fischer, and Tower of Power, among others.[1]

Early life

The youngest of eleven children, Poncho Sanchez was born in Laredo, Texas and reared in Norwalk, California. Growing up, Sanchez was exposed to and influenced by two very different styles of music: Afro-Cuban music (mambo, son, cha-cha, rumba, guaracha, Changui and Son) by greats such as Tito Puente, and bebop jazz, including the works of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. Originally a guitarist, he discovered his talent for singing during an audition for an R&B band "The Halos" that rehearsed across the street from where he lived with his neighborhood friend Ralph Vasquez then becoming the lead vocalist of the group. Sanchez would later go on to teach himself the flute, drums, and timbales before finally deciding to pursue conga-playing in high school.

Career

In 1975, Sanchez's idol, vibraphonist Cal Tjader, invited him to perform one set with his band. Seeing the young man's talent, Tjader hired Sanchez for a week before officially making him a full member of the ensemble. Sanchez played a crucial role as conguero for several years until Tjader's death in 1982.

Before he died, Tjader suggested that Concord Records founder Carl Jefferson sign Sanchez and his soon-to-be-formed group under the Concord Picante label. Tjader's wishes were honored, and the first two records were composed and arranged by long-time Tjader collaborator Clare Fischer.

Poncho Sanchez went on to produce 19 albums for the label, eventually garnering a Grammy for his work. Currently, Sanchez is respected as one of the top American percussionists of our time. He performs frequently in venues varying in size from concert halls to local jazz festivals. His 2005 CD, Do It!, features the iconic funk band Tower of Power on two tracks as well as South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela.

Poncho Sanchez is a frequent collaborator with bandleader José Rizo (disc jockey). He played conga on the grammy nominated album "Mongorama" produced by Rizo.

Discography

With Art Pepper

References

  1. ↑ Allmusic
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