Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band

Poncho Sanchez is widely 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. In his latest release, Raise Your Hand on Concord Picante, conguero Poncho Sanchez and his legendary band pay homage to some of his soul heroes, as well as reaching into the timeless traditions of Afro-Cuban jazz and son. Standouts include their rousing treatments of the Stax soul classics "Raise Your Hand" and "Knock On Wood" and the Cuban son "¿Dónde Va Chichi?". 

On October 30th 1951 Poncho Sanchez was born youngest of eleven children in Laredo, Texas and raised in Norwalk, California. Sanchez was exposed to and influenced by two very different styles of music: Afro-Cuban music (mambo, son, cha-cha, rhumba, guaracha, salsa) by greats such as Tito Puente, and bebop jazz, including the works of Charlie Parker. Starting as a guitarist and vocalist Sanchez went on to teach himself the flute, drums, and timbales before finally deciding to pursue conga-playing in high school.

Inspired by the conga playing of Cuban great Mongo Santamaria, he honed his skills as a percussionist and broke into the limelight at the age of 23 when he joined vibraphonist Cal Tjader's famed Latin jazz ensemble in 1975. Poncho performed with him until Tjader's untimely death in 1982. A year later, he began his unprecedented 24-year relationship with Concord Records, which has produced two dozen recordings, several Grammy nominations and in 2000, Sanchez and his ensemble won the Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album for their work on the Concord Picante album Latin Soul.

Yoshi’s is located at Jack London Square in Oakland. Visit www.yoshis.com for ticket information.

The Kuumbwa Jazz Center is located at 320-2 Cedar Street in Santa Cruz. Call  (831) 427-2227 or visit  www.kuumbwajazz.org for ticket information.

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