Poncho sanchez biography

Poncho Sanchez

Not to be confused with Sancho Panza.

Musical artist

Poncho Sánchez (born Ildefonso Sanchez,[1] October 30, [citation needed]) is an American conguero (conga player), Latin jazz band leader, and salsa singer.

Poncho sanchez Sanchez has released dozens of LP and CD albums. In , Sanchez's idol, vibraphonist Cal Tjader , invited him to perform a set with his band. Sanchez played a crucial role as conguero for several years until Tjader's death in 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.

In , he 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 including Cal Tjader, Mongo Santamaría, Hugh Masekela, Clare Fischer, and Tower of Power.[2][3]

Early life

The youngest of eleven children, Poncho Sanchez was born in Laredo, Texas and reared in Norwalk, California, while he attended Cerritos College.[1] Growing up, he was exposed to and influenced by two different styles of music: Afro-Cuban music (mambo, son, cha-cha, rumba, guaracha, and Changui) by Tito Puente and others, and bebopjazz, including the works of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker.[4]

Originally a guitarist, he discovered his talent for singing during an audition for the R&B band The Halos that rehearsed across the street from his residence.[5] Sanchez became the lead vocalist of The Halos, and would go on to teach himself the flute, the drums, and timbales before finally deciding in high school to pursue conga drumming above all.

Sanchez has released dozens of LP and CD albums.[6]

Career

In , Sanchez's idol, vibraphonistCal Tjader, invited him to perform a set with his band.[7] 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

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.

Sanchez has released dozens of LP and CD albums. In , Sanchez's idol, vibraphonist Cal Tjader , invited him to perform a set with his band. Sanchez played a crucial role as conguero for several years until Tjader's death in 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.

Tjader's wishes were honored, and the first two records were composed and arranged by long-time Tjader collaborator Clare Fischer. Sanchez went on to produce 19 albums for the label, eventually garnering a Grammy for his work.[8][9]

AllMusic described Sanchez as "among the most influential percussionists in jazz."[10] He has been performing frequently in venues varying in size from concert halls to local jazz festivals.[6] His CD, Do It!, features the funk band Tower of Power on two tracks, as well as South African trumpeterHugh Masekela.[11]

Sanchez is a frequent collaborator with bandleader José Rizo.

He played conga on the Grammy-nominated album Mongorama produced by Rizo.[12]

Sanchez was featured on Ilya Serov's single "Tangerine", released on January 9, [13]

Discography

  • Poncho (Discovery DS , )
  • Straight Ahead (Discovery DS , )
  • Salsa Picante [by Clare Fischer] (Discovery DS , )
  • Machaca [by Clare Fischer & Salsa Picante] (Discovery DS , ]
  • 2+2 [with Clare Fischer & Salsa Picante] (Pausa PR , )
  • Sonando (Concord Picante, )
  • Bien Sabroso (Concord Picante, )
  • El Conguero (Concord Picante, )
  • Gaviota (Discovery DSCD , [rel.

    ]) with Clare Fischer

  • Papa Gato (Concord Picante, )
  • ¡Fuerte! (Concord Picante, )
  • La Familia (Concord Picante, )
  • Chile Con Soul (Concord Picante, ) with Tito Puente
  • Cambios (Concord Picante, ) with Freddie Hubbard
  • A Night at Kimball's East (Concord Picante, )
  • El Mejor (Concord Picante, )
  • Bailar: A Night With Poncho Sanchez Live (Concord Picante, [rel.

    ])

  • Para Todos (Concord Picante, )
  • Soul Sauce: Memories Of Cal Tjader (Concord Picante, )
  • Baila Mi Gente: Salsa! (Concord Picante, ) compilation
  • Conga Blue (Concord Picante, )
  • Freedom Sound (Concord Picante, ) with Wilton Felder, Wayne Henderson
  • Poncho Sanchez: The Concord Jazz Heritage Series (Concord Jazz, ) compilation
  • Afro-Cuban Fantasy (Concord Picante, ) with Dianne Reeves
  • Latin Soul (Concord Picante, )
  • Soul of the Conga (Concord Picante, )
  • Latin Spirits (Concord Picante, ) with Dale Spalding
  • Ultimate Latin Dance Party (Concord Picante, ) 2-CD compilation
  • Out of Sight! (Concord Picante, ) with Ray Charles
  • Poncho at Montreux [live] (Silverline/Immergent, )
  • Instant Party (Concord Picante, ) compilation
  • Do It! (Concord Picante, ) with Hugh Masekela, Tower Of Power
  • Raise Your Hand (Concord Picante, )
  • Psychedelic Blues (Concord Picante, )
  • Chano y Dizzy! (Concord Picante, ) with Terence Blanchard
  • Live in Hollywood (Concord Picante, )
  • Trane's Delight (Concord Picante, )

With Benny Golson

With Woody Herman

  • Woody's Gold Star (Concord, )

With Art Pepper

With Cal Tjader

  • Grace Cathedral Concert (Fantasy, )
  • Guarabe (Fantasy, )
  • Here [live] (Galaxy, [rel.

    Poncho sanchez biography At age 23 he found a mentor, vibraphonist Cal Tjader, and was able to make his own way to the top, gig by gig. His open, inclusive style has survived over three decades of constant travel, annual recordings, percussion workshops, and absorption in new trends, new performers, and the tastes of his fans. He attended Grayland Avenue Elementary School. His mother, who was from the northern Mexico region of Vallecillo, Nuevo Leon, and his father, who was from Matalsas, Jalisco, also in Mexico, sang regularly in their church choir. At home there was the radio — zesty, engaging mariachi, mambo, and cumbia music played by disc jockey Chico Cesno on Los Angeles 's only Latin radio station — to accompany the daily rhythms of adults and children.

    ])

  • Cuban Fantasy [live] (Fantasy, [rel. ])
  • Huracán (Crystal Clear, ; reissue: Laserlight, )
  • La Onda Va Bien (Concord Picante, )
  • Gózame! Pero Ya (Concord Picante, )
  • A Fuego Vivo (Concord Picante, )
  • Heat Wave (Concord Jazz, ) with Carmen McRae
  • Good Vibes (Concord Picante, [rel.

    ])

  • Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival – (Concord Jazz, )

With Ilya Serov

References

External links