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Biography
distinguish|Sancho PanzaInfobox musical artist | name = Poncho Sanchez| image =| caption = Photo by Devin DeHaven| image_size = | background = non_vocal_instrumentalist| birth_name = Poncho Sanchez| alias =| Born = October 30, 1951| death_date =| instrument = Conga | origin =| genre = Jazz , Latin ,| occupation = Musician, Arranger , Composer , Record producer | years_active = 1975–present| label = Concord Records , Universal Music|Universal | associated_acts =| website =| current_members =| past_members = Poncho Sanchez (born October 30, 1951), a Mexican-American, is a conguero ( conga player), Latin jazz band leader, and salsa music|salsa singer. In 2000, Sanchez and his ensemble won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album for their work on the Concord Records|Concord Picante album Latin Soul (album)|Latin Soul . Sanchez has performed with artists Cal Tjader , Mongo Santamaría , Hugh Masekela , Clare Fischer and Tower of Power , among others.Allmusic|class=artist|id=p121794|pure_url=yes Allmusic
Early life
The youngest of eleven children, Poncho Sanchez was born in Laredo, Texas . He was reared in Norwalk, California . Growing up, Sanchez was exposed to and influenced by two very different styles of music: Afro-Cuban music ( Mambo (music)|mambo , son (music)|son , Cha-cha-cha (music)|cha-cha , Cuban Rumba|rumba , guaracha , salsa) by greats such as Tito Puente , and bebop jazz , including the works of CharlieParker . Originally a guitar ist, he discovered his talent for singing during an audition for an Rhythm and blues|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 , Drum kit|drums , and timbales before finally deciding to pursue conga-playing in high school .
Career
In 1975, Sanchez's idol, Vibraphone|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 trumpet er Hugh Masekela .
http://www.ponchosanchez.com/index.html Official Website
Persondata | NAME =Sanchez, Poncho | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | DATE OF BIRTH =October 30, 1951 | PLACE OF BIRTH = | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Sanchez, Poncho Category:1951 births Category:Living people Category:American jazz bandleaders Category:American people of Mexican descent Category:American musicians of Mexican descent Category:Musicians from California Category:People from Laredo, Texas Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Percussionists Category:Jazz percussionists Category:Cuban jazz (genre) percussionists Category:Conga players Category:Concord Records artists
