Poncho Sanchez was born in Laredo, Texas. He was the youngest of 11 children. Poncho grew up in Norwalk, California and remembers hearing Afro-Cuban music while growing up. “As a kid in third or fourth grade I would hear my sisters dancing while listening to Machito, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader and various bands from Cuba while my brothers listened to doo-wop music and early rhythm and blues.”
While in sixth grade, Sanchez bought a fifty-cent guitar in hopes of joining an R&B band that rehearsed across the street from his home. Although he practiced quite a bit, when he showed up for an audition, he knew immediately that he did not stand a chance. “But it turned out that they needed a singer, and although I had never sung, I gave it a try and became the lead vocalist in that band for five years. Then, when I was in high school, the first chance I had to get behind a set of conga drums I hit them, and it felt quite natural.” Soon Sanchez had saved up money from his singing jobs and was practicing congas as much as possible in his garage, playing to Machito, Tito Puente and Cal Tjader records.
Sanchez’s big break occurred in 1975 when after a period of struggle he had an opportunity to play with his idol vibraphonist Cal Tjader. “I found out later that Cal’s conga player was planning on leaving soon, and he was letting a lot of people sit in with him. I played one number with Cal, he asked if I could play the rest of the set with him and a week later he asked if I could join him for a week, starting New Year’s Eve at the Coconut Grove opposite Carmen McRae!.” Sanchez would be a major part of Tjader’s band for the next seven years, an association that lasted until the vibraphonist’s death.
Poncho Sanchez first formed his own group in 1980, leading his ensemble during Tjader’s vacation periods and recording two albums for Discovery. Shortly before his death, Tjader recommended to Concord founder Carl Jefferson that he sign Sanchez to his Concord Picante label (a subsidiary originally started to document Tjader’s music). Poncho recorded numerous albums for Concord and won a Grammy Award for 1999’s Latin Soul.
“My band and I really do love Latin jazz. We played this music before it was popular, and I think we’ve played a part in helping it to become popular again. Our main goal is always to keep Latin jazz alive, growing and moving while being authentic to the music that we love. I’m proud to say that we have stuck to the basic fundamentals and the roots, which are very important to us. And as I always say in clinics this music is not just for Latino people. It was born in the United States, and it is American music. It is for everybody!“
In 2012, Poncho Sanchez received the Latin Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In a statement, the Latin Recording Academy said: “Influenced by Latin jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo, Mexican-American conguero, Latin jazz bandleader and salsa singer Poncho Sánchez is considered one of the top percussionists of all time. Self-taught at a young age to play guitar, flute, drums, and timbales, it was the congas that captured his heart. In 1975, he quickly became a member of famed vibraphonist Cal Tjader’s ensemble until 1982.
His career has lasted more than three decades and includes more than 30 albums, numerous musical collaborations and a GRAMMY for Best Latin Jazz Performance in 1999. His self-described rhythmic style blends the harmonic sophistication of jazz with American standards and the flavor of Latin American music. Ever the consummate artist, he continues performing in concert halls and local jazz festivals throughout the world.”
In 2019, Poncho Sanchez released Trane’s Delight, an album that celebrates the life and music of the influential saxophonist John Coltrane.
“I’ve always loved John Coltrane,” Sanchez said, “ever since I was a kid and first learned about jazz. I’ve recorded tributes to a lot of my heroes in life – Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader – so I thought it was definitely time to do a tribute to the great John Coltrane.”
Trane’s Delight features Sanchez’s longtime band, trombonist and musical director Francisco Torres; trumpet and flugelhorn master Ron Blake; saxophonist Robert Hardt; pianist Andy Langham; bassists Rene Camacho and Ross Schodek, and percussionists Joey DeLeón and Giancarlo Anderson.
Discography:
Salsa Picante (1980)
Straight Ahead (1980)
Machaca (1981)
Sonando (1982)
Baila Mi Gente (Concord Records, CCD-471-2 1982)
Bien Sabroso (1983)
El Conguero (1985)
Papa Gato (1986)
Gaviota (1986)
Fuerte (1987)
La Familia (1988)
Chile Con Soul (1989)
A Night At Kimball’s East (199)
Bailar (1990)
Cambios (1990)
El Mejor (1992)
Para Todos (Concord Records CCD-4600-2 1993)
Soul Sauce (Concord Records CCD-4662-2 1995)
Conga Blue (Concord Records CCD-4726-2 1995)
Freedom Sound (Concord Records CCD-4778-2 1997)
Afro-Cuban Fantasy (Concord Records CCD-4847-2 1998)
Latin Soul (Concord Records, CCD-4863-2 1999)
Poncho Sanchez – The Concord Jazz Heritage Series (2000)
Soul Of The Conga (Concord Records, CCD-4894, 2000)
Latin Spirits (2001)
Ultimate Latin Dance Party (2002)
Instant Party: Poncho Sanchez (2004)
Poncho at Montreux (2004)
Out of Sight! (2004)
Do It! (2005)
Raise Your Hand (2007)
Psychedelic Blues (Concord Picante 2009)
Chano y Dizzy! (Concord Picante, 2011)
Live in Hollywood (Concord Picante, 2012)
Trane’s Delight (Concord Picante, 2019)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.