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Poncho Sanchez

GRAMMY-winning bandleader, conguero, and percussionist Poncho Sanchez is among the most influential percussionists in jazz. For more than four decades, he’s stirred up a fiery stew of straightahead jazz, gritty soul music, and infectious melodies and rhythms from a variety of Latin American and South American sources. Throughout his career, Sanchez has held aloft the torch lit by such innovators as Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente and Cal Tjader, embraced by each of those icons and entrusted to carry forward the traditions of Latin Jazz.

Sanchez was born in Laredo, Texas, in 1951 to a large Mexican-American family, but grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles, where he was raised on an unusual cross section of sounds that included straightahead jazz, Latin jazz and American soul. By his teen years, his musical consciousness had been solidified by the likes of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Cal Tjader, Mongo Santamaria, Wilson Pickett, and James Brown. Along the way, he taught himself to play guitar, flute, drums and timbales, but eventually settled on the congas. Sanchez landed a permanent spot in Cal Tjader's band in 1975, and remained with him until the bandleader's death in 1982. Sanchez then shifted his focus to his own group, which he had formed in 1980, and signed with powerhouse label Concord for the release of ‘Sonando’, beginning a musical partnership that has spanned nearly four decades and yielded more than two dozen recordings.

After more than two decades in music, Sanchez's efforts paid off when his album ‘Latin Soul’ received a GRAMMY award as Best Latin Album of 1999. Throughout the next decade, Sanchez continued to record, releasing such albums as 2000's ‘Soul of the Conga’, 2001's ‘Latin Spirits’, 2003's ‘Out of Sight!’, 2005's ‘Do It!’, 2007's ‘Raise Your Hand’, and 2009's hard bop-influenced ‘Psychedelic Blues’. In 2011, he paid tribute to the innovative Afro-Cuban recordings of Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo by teaming up with trumpeter Terence Blanchard for ‘Chano y Dizzy!’ Sanchez followed that up with a vibrant concert set with his Latin Jazz Band entitled ‘Live in Hollywood’. With his most recent album ‘Trane’s Delight’, Poncho Sanchez continues to honor the giants whose music has helped shape his own, while building upon the rich legacy they’ve left behind. As this celebratory and heartfelt album exemplifies, he’s long since joined the ranks of the luminaries to whom he pays such profound tribute. Sanchez’s deeply personal reimagining of the jazz canon, as well as his own spirited original compositions, affirm his place at the forefront of Latin Jazz’s trailblazers.

Awards

42nd Annual GRAMMY Awards

WIN: Best Latin Jazz Performance

“Latin Soul”

NOMINATIONS:

63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards

Nomination: Best Latin Jazz Album

Trane's Delight

53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards

Nomination: Latin Jazz Album

Psychedelic Blues

34th Annual GRAMMY Awards

Nomination: Best Tropical Latin Album

A Night At Kimball's East

33rd Annual GRAMMY Awards

Nomination: Best Tropical Latin Performance

“Mama Guela”

27th Annual GRAMMY Awards

Nomination: Best Tropical Latin Performance

“Bien Sabroso!”

Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley

by Jack Gold-Molina
September 24, 2022

Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band Dimitriou's Jazz Alley Seattle, WA August 12, 2022 Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band performed two sets at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley on Friday, August 12th. Still touring to support 2019's Trane's Delight, they have faced numerous cancellations and delays due to COVID restrictions. As Mr. Sanchez pointed out, between the time that the album was released and he was finally able to schedule dates to support it, it had ...

Album Review

Poncho Sanchez: Trane's Delight

Read "Trane's Delight" reviewed by La-Faithia White

by La-Faithia White
September 1, 2021

After a seven-year hiatus Poncho Sanchez pushes through with a passion project and a meaningful tribute to one of his mentors, saxophonist John Coltrane, on Trane's Delight. The feeling of jazz comes together beautifully in this tribute to Coltrane as well as in the remake of the Duke Ellington classic “The Feeling Of Jazz." Sanchez and his award-winning band succeed with a very smooth and classy salsa sound. The horn section blows splendidly on the melody, along with ...

Album Review

Various Artists: New Orleans Mambo: Cuba to NOLA

Read "New Orleans Mambo: Cuba to NOLA" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki

by Chris M. Slawecki
January 20, 2021

The distance between New Orleans (Louisiana, USA) and Havana (Cuba) is almost exactly 670 miles, about a two-hour flight. But it takes only one listen to Putumayo Records' anthology New Orleans Mambo: Cuba to NOLA to bridge the distance between the two. With such a wide and colorful net to cast, assembling this collection must have been a lot of fun. This includes the companion booklet, which contextualizes the cross- cultural dance between New Orleans and Cuba by ...

Catching Up With

Poncho Sanchez: Mambo King

by Steve Bryant
August 19, 2013

For over 30 years, conguero/bandleader Poncho Sanchez has been the premier proponent of West Coast Latin Jazz. Growing up in Norwalk, California, Sanchez was exposed to and influenced by two very different styles of music: Afro-Cuban music and bebop, as well as R&B. Originally a guitarist, Sanchez taught himself the flute, drums, and timbales before finally deciding to pursue conga playing in high school. In 1975, Sanchez's idol, vibraphonist “Cal Tjader invited him to perform with his band. Sanchez played ...

Live Review

Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band: Toronto, Canada, March 9, 2013

by Alain Londes
March 31, 2013

Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz BandKoerner HallToronto, OntarioMarch 9, 2013After not playing in Toronto for quiet a few years, fans were finally able to enjoy the wonderful talent of master conguero Poncho Sanchez, together with his Latin Jazz Band and featuring, on this particular occasion, young lion {m: Christian Scott = 15401}} on trumpet. For the 2012-2013 season, the Royal Conservatory has programmed a series of performances, Devoted to Dizzy. This particular night was billed as ...

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Live Review

Poncho Sanchez at Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado

by Geoff Anderson
September 14, 2009

Poncho Sanchez Denver Botanic Gardens Denver, Colorado August 24, 2009

Poncho Sanchez is the state of the art in Latin Jazz these days. Since the passing of Tito Puente in 2000, Sanchez has ascended to the top of the list of active players in terms of popularity, exuberance and the undeniable authority of his Latin rhythms. By the end of Sanchez' second set Monday night at the Botanic Gardens, the only ones not dancing ...

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Album Review

Poncho Sanchez: Raise Your Hand

Read "Raise Your Hand" reviewed by Chip Boaz

by Chip Boaz
September 16, 2007

An album reflects an artistic personality; the creative mixture of past influences determines the current output. When Concord Records acquired the Rhythm 'n Blues label Stax, percussionist Poncho Sanchez gained access to musicians and repertoire that shaped his musical identity. This provided Sanchez the opportunity to paint a fuller picture of his artistic background. On Raise Your Hand, he brings his Latin jazz group together with several guest artists to mix Latin jazz, Salsa, and classic Rhythm 'n Blues tracks. ...

Video / DVD

Poncho Sanchez: Trane's Delight

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
October 8, 2019

Like many Latin legends—including Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Carlos “Patato" Valdés, Ray Barretto, Candido, Carlos Vidal and others—Poncho Sanchez is a percussionist. Born in Laredo, Texas, Sanchez has been a leading conga player and bandleader for decades. His big break came in 1975, when vibraphonist Cal Tjader hired him for his band. Before he died in 1982, Tjader urged Concord Records to sign Sanchez. The label took Tjader's advice, and Sanchez has recorded 27 albums for Concord over the past ...
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Festival

Poncho Sanchez To Headline Free Tucson Downtown Jazz Fiesta On MLK Day 2019!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations
August 23, 2018

Plus this dynamic lineup including: Trombone Shorty, Kathleen Grace with Larry Goldings, UA Studio Jazz Ensemble with Terell Stafford, and Sheila Jordan with Cameron Brown on sale August 24! The line-up for the 5th annual Tucson Jazz Festival, scheduled for January 11-21, 2019, continues to take shape with the announcement of Poncho Sanchez headlining the free Downtown Jazz Fiesta on Monday, January 21, 2019 (MLK Day). Last year the Jazz Fiesta drew more than 12,000 people downtown. Funding for the ...
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Festival

Celebrate Valentine's Day weekend 2019 with Poncho Sanchez, Pete Escovedo, and more aboard the Latin Love Boat

Source: All About Jazz
June 16, 2018

Latin Cruise Events is proudly announcing “Latin Love Boat“ Valentines Weekend Jazz Cruise. The luxurious Carnival Imagination will depart on Thursday, February 14th sailing from Long Beach, California to Ensenada Mexico and returning February 17th, 2019 (Thursday to Sunday). This 3-Day Music Festival Cruise will include: Legendary Jazz artists, Poncho Sanchez, Pete Escovedo, as well World Famous “SaSoul Godfather" Joe Bataan, PLUS Southern California's own The B-side Players and Northern California's Mike Torres Band and more. The Cruise concerts will ...
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Music Industry

Jazz this week: Poncho Sanchez, Charlemagne Palestine, Ramsey Lewis, Nevermore Jazz Ball, Storm Large, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
November 4, 2015

It's an extremely busy week for jazz and creative music in around St. Louis, with major touring musicians in town offering Latin jazz, cabaret, soul jazz, and experimental music, plus a big event drawing swing dancers from around the country, and a varied assortment of shows from local musicians. Here's a brief look at some of the most notable performances coming up: Wednesday, November 4 Percussionist Poncho Sanchez and his Latin jazz band return to open a four-night stand at ...
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Event

Celebrate Brooklyn! Announces Brooklyn Bridge Park Dance Parties Featuring Poncho Sanchez

Source: Matt Gross
April 2, 2015

BRIC ANNOUNCES 2015 CELEBRATE BROOKLYN! DANCE PARTIES AT BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK Three Spring Nights with Live Bands and DJs in Stunning Waterfront Locale Sponsored by Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Featuring Jamie Lidell, Felix Hernandez’s Rhythm Revue, Poncho Sanchez and More BRIC, producer of Celebrate Brooklyn!, the borough’s premier outdoor summer festival, returns with the fifth annual Celebrate Brooklyn! Dance Parties. The free series, held on Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 1 on three consecutive Thursday evenings in May (14, 21 & ...
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Performance / Tour

Poncho Sanchez: Heating up Lincoln

Source: Michael Ricci
January 20, 2015

By Gabriel Medina Arenas Nebraska's coldest month is usually January and in 2015 that didn't seem to be an exception. That is, until Poncho Sanchez's hot salsa and Latin jazz melted the ice, bringing “gozadera" and joy to The Midwest. This is not just a metaphor, since the weather did get warmer on Thursday, January 15th, the day Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band played at The Lied Center in Lincoln, the state capital. Two days ...
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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Poncho Sanchez, Catherine Russell, the Cunninghams, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
April 17, 2014

As Jazz Appreciation Month 2014 continues past the halfway point, the live performance calendar this week in St. Louis includes several touring performers visiting our town, the return of a veteran of Gaslight Square, and the usual variety of activity from local musicians. Let's go to the highlights... Tonight, percussionist Poncho Sanchez and his band (pictured) open a four-night engagement continuing through Saturday at Jazz at the Bistro. One of the standard-bearers for mainstream Latin jazz, Sanchez' group over the ...
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Award / Grant

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage Announces $6.5 Million to Support 65 Artists and Organizations

Source: Michael Ricci
June 21, 2013

Philadelphia, PA: The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage has awarded over $6.5 million in support of Philadelphia's dynamic cultural community. This year’s grants will support 52 upcoming projects by local cultural organizations. Recipients range in size and stature from small collectives to established institutions, from creative newcomers to community strongholds. Their projects will bring major international artists and cultural leaders to the city, engage local communities in participatory cultural experiences, and ensure that Philadelphia remains a vibrant destination for ...
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Music Industry

Chembo Corniel + Poncho Sanchez

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
October 25, 2012

For me, great Latin-jazz is almost exclusively about taste. Since one doesn't become a Latin-jazz musician without extraordinary instrumental and improvisational skills (the music is simply too complex), what separates great recordings from so-so or tedious ones is the artist's choice of material and how the music is served up. For many lay listeners who resist Latin-jazz, their big beef often is excessive, overwhelming percussion and open-ended solos that show off speed and endurance but offer little in the way ...
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