sign in sign up
<<
Home , Carl Jefferson, Clare Fischer, Poncho Sanchez, Soul Sauce, Tokyo Debut

Poncho Sanchez

Poncho Sanchez (born October 30, 1951), is a Mexican-American conguero ( player), Latin band leader, and salsa singer. In 2000, Sanchez 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 , Mongo Santamaría, , and , among others.

Early life

The youngest of eleven children, Poncho Sanchez was born in Laredo, Texas. He was reared in Norwalk, . Growing up, Sanchez was exposed to and influenced by two very different styles of music: Afro-Cuban music (mambo, son, cha- cha, rumba, , salsa) by greats such as , and jazz, including the works of and . a guitarist, he discovered his talent for singing during an audition for an 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, drums, and before finally deciding to pursue conga-playing in high school. Career

In 1975, Sanchez’s idol, 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 founder 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 band Tower of Power on two tracks as well as South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela. Discography

Salsa Picante – 1980 Straight Ahead – 1980 Clare Fischer & Salsa Picante Present “2 + 2” – 1981 Machaca – 1981 Sonando – 1982 Baila Mi Gente: Salsa! – 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 – 1990 Bailar – 1990 Cambios – 1990 El Mejor – 1992 Para Todos – 1993 – 1995 Conga Blue – 1995 Freedom Sound – 1997 Afro-Cuban Fantasy – 1998 Latin Soul – 1999 Poncho Sanchez – The Heritage Series – 2000 Soul of the Conga – 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 – 2009 Chano Y Dizzy! – 2011 Live in – 2012

Videos:

Credits

Year Album Artist , Featured 2013 Sound the Alarm Booker T. Jones Artist, Guiro, Primary Artist Composer, Congas, Percussion, 2012 Live in Hollywood Poncho Sanchez Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals Bell, Congas, 2012 Revolutionize B-Side Players Guest Artist, Inspiration 2011 Barney’s Version Primary Artist Year Album Artist Congas, Mixing, Percussion, 2011 Chano y Dizzy! Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals Putumayo 2010 Presents: World Primary Artist Christmas Party Bar Jazz, Vol. 1 2009 Primary Artist [Universal] Groovin’ the 2009 Primary Artist Blues Introduction to 2009 Primary Artist Latin Jazz Playing for 2009 Change: Songs Playing for Change Congas Around the World Composer, Congas, 2009 Psychedelic Blues Poncho Sanchez Percussion, Primary Artist, Vocals Putumayo Composer, 2009 Presents: Salsa Primary Artist Beginner’s Guide 2008 Primary Artist to Latin Jazz Horizontes del 2008 Primary Artist Jazz Latin Jazz: 2008 Primary Artist Essential Guide Year Album Artist Music to Make the Congas, 2008 Impossible Percussion Possible The Best of Cal Tjader: Live at Congas, Main 2008 the Monterey Jazz Cal Tjader Personnel Festival 1958-1980 The Essential 2008 Guide to Latin Primary Artist Jazz 2008 Ydrogeios 3 Primary Artist 2007 Putumayo 2007 Primary Artist Sampler CD Congas, Guest 2007 Camino Nuevo Artist Putumayo Composer, 2007 Presents: Latin Primary Artist Jazz Audio Production, Bells, Composer, 2007 Raise Your Hand Poncho Sanchez Congas, Guiro, Main Personnel, Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals Composer, Jazz on the Latin Congas, Member 2007 Tambolero Side All Stars of Attributed Artist, Soloist 2007 Watch Out Salsa Loca Composer Year Album Artist XM: Watercolors – Congas, 2007 Red [Circuit City Percussion, Exclusive] Primary Artist Malaby/Sanchez/Rainey 2006 Alive in Brooklyn Primary Artist Trio Brazilectro, Vol. 2006 Primary Artist 8 Explorations: 2006 Classic Picante Primary Artist Regrooved Jazz Vocalists: 2006 Primary Artist Hear and Now 2006 Latinesque Momo’s Primary Artist 2005 Atitetoca Primary Artist Be on the 2005 APB Congas Lookout! Cocktails: Music 2005 for Mixing and Primary Artist Mingling Concord Music 2005 Primary Artist Group (Sampler) Choir/Chorus, Composer, Congas, Coro, Concord Picante Handclapping, 2005 25th Anniversary Percussion, Collection Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals Year Album Artist Concord Picante 25th Anniversary 2005 Collection Primary Artist [Single Disc Sampler] Bells, Composer, Congas, Guiro, Handclapping, Liner Notes, 2005 Do It! Poncho Sanchez Main Personnel, Percussion, Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals Organ, 2005 Fine and Mellow Carmen McRae Percussion Jazz Baby: Congas, Primary 2005 Session 3 Artist, Shakere Jazziz: Fall Into 2005 Primary Artist Jazz Sound Stage, Vol, 2005 Tito Puente Primary Artist 2: Latin Rhythms The Colors of Composer, 2005 Latin Jazz: Soul Primary Artist Cookin’ Colors of Latin 2004 Jazz: Música Primary Artist Romántica Genius Loves 2004 Featured Artist Company Year Album Artist Arranger, Composer, Congas, Cowbell, Main 2004 Instant Party Poncho Sanchez Personnel, Percussion, Primary Artist, Soloist, Vocals Jazz Moods: Jazz 2004 Primary Artist at the North Pole 2004 Ochimini Congas, Soloist Poncho at Composer, 2004 Poncho Sanchez Montreux Primary Artist Arranger, Composer, Poncho at Congas, 2004 Montreux Poncho Sanchez Percussion, [DualDisc] Primary Artist, Vocals Congas, Main The Best of the 2004 Cal Tjader Personnel, Concord Years Percussion The Colors of Congas, Coro, 2004 Latin Jazz: Cha Primary Artist Cha Soul! The Colors of Congas, Coro, 2004 Latin Jazz: Latin Primary Artist Jam! Congas, Guest The Last Jazz on the Latin Artist, Member 2004 Bullfighter Side All Stars of Attributed Artist Year Album Artist The Rough Guide 2004 Primary Artist to Mambo Tommy Bahama 2004 Primary Artist Happy Huladays Bells, Bongos, 2003 Cafe Cubano Scott Martin Claves, Congas, Guiro Congas, Mixing, Percussion, Concord Records 2003 Primary Artist, 30th Anniversary Producer, Vocals Choir/Chorus, Concord Records Congas, 2003 SACD Sampler, Handclapping, Vol. 1 Percussion, Primary Artist Congas, Guest 2003 Cool Fire Cal Tjader Artist Congas, Guest 2003 Cuban Fantasy Cal Tjader Artist, Percussion Chekere, Latin Jazz Congas, 2003 Christmas Percussion, Primary Artist Latin Legends 2003 Primary Artist [Telstar TV] Live at Kimball’s 2003 Poncho Sanchez Primary Artist East Year Album Artist Composer, Congas, Percussion, 2003 Out of Sight! Poncho Sanchez Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals Rough Guide to Percussion, 2003 Latin Jazz Primary Artist Arranger, Bata, Composer, Congas, Mixing, 2002 Baila Baila Poncho Sanchez Percussion, Primary Artist, Vocals Colors of Latin Performer, 2002 Jazz: Mambo Primary Artist Mania! Composer, Congas, Conga Caliente: 2002 Poncho Sanchez Percussion, La Familia/Fuerte Primary Artist, Vocals 2002 Fly Sal Cracchiolo Congas Composer, Latin Jazz: The 2002 Performer, Essential Album Primary Artist Les Performer, 2002 Incontournables Primary Artist de Salsa Composer, The Ultimate 2002 Poncho Sanchez Congas, Primary Latin Dance Party Artist Year Album Artist The Very Best of 2002 Primary Artist Latin America Both Sides of the Congas, 2001 Cal Tjader Coin Percussion Guest Artist, 2001 Get a Taste Sprung Monkey Percussion Congas, Primary Jazz Moods: Cha 2001 Artist, Vocals Cha Party (Background) Jazz Moods: Jazz Party Mix – Congas, Primary 2001 Cocktail Artist, Vocals Party/Groovin’ (Background) the Blues Jazz on the Latin Jazz on the Latin Congas, Primary 2001 Side Allstars, Side All Stars Artist Vol. 2 Composer, Congas, Keeper of the Percussion, 2001 Poncho Sanchez Flame Primary Artist, Vocals (Background) 2001 L.A. Meetings Bongos, Congas Latin Jazz Performer, 2001 Legends Primary Artist Arranger, Congas, Mixing, Percussion, 2001 Latin Spirits Poncho Sanchez Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals Year Album Artist Congas, Guest 2001 Let’s Celebrate Al Williams Artist National Composer, 2001 Geographic: Performer, Destination Cuba Primary Artist Caribbean Jazz Congas, Guest 2001 Paraiso Project Artist Playboy’s Latin Congas, 2001 Jazz Christmas: A Performer, Not So Silent Ni Primary Artist Sketches of James: Selection 2001 Primary Artist from the James Taylor Songbook Tri-C Jazzfest Performer, 2001 2001 Primary Artist 2000 Cubismo Cubismo Composer Jam Miami: A Congas, Primary 2000 Celebration of Artist Latin Jazz Jazz 101: Performer, 2000 Introduction to Primary Artist Latin Jazz Jazz Moods: A Performer, 2000 Great Day of Jazz Primary Artist Jazz on the Latin Arranger, Jazz on the Latin 2000 Side Allstars, Director, Side All Stars Vol. 1 Maracas Year Album Artist Latin Beat Magazine: Real Performer, 2000 Latin Jazz: Primary Artist Percussion, & Strings Percussion, NPR Studio Cuts, 2000 Primary Artist, Vol. 1 Vocals Portrait Stanley 2000 Stanley Clarke Congas Clarke Performer, 2000 Salsa Fiesta! Primary Artist 2000 Simply Being Me Sanchez Primary Artist Arranger, Composer, Congas, Handclapping, 2000 Soul of the Conga Poncho Sanchez Mixing, Percussion, Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals The Colors of Performer, 2000 Latin Jazz: Primary Artist Cubop! The Colors of Performer, 2000 Latin Jazz: From Primary Artist Samba to Bomba! The Colors of Composer, 2000 Latin Jazz: Latin Performer, Vibe! Primary Artist Year Album Artist The Colors of Performer, 2000 Latin Jazz: Primary Artist Sabroso! The Colors of Performer, 2000 Latin Jazz: Soul Primary Artist Sauce! Viva Cubop!, Vol. 2000 2: Dance the Congas Afro-Cuban Way 1999 Ballad Essentials Carmen McRae Congas Boogie Fever 1999 Primary Artist [World] Jazz Moods: Performer, 1999 Groovin’ the Primary Artist Blues Jazz Moods: Latin Performer, 1999 Romance Primary Artist Jazz Moods: Performer, 1999 Morning Cup of Primary Artist Jazz Jazziz: March 1999 Primary Artist 1999 Arranger, Composer, Congas, Mixing, Percussion, 1999 Latin Soul Poncho Sanchez Primary Artist, Producer, Soloist, Timbales, Vocals Year Album Artist Most of Latin Performer, 1999 Groove: A Litter Primary Artist of Latin Lovelies Arranger, Composer, Congas, Mixing, Afro-Cuban 1998 Poncho Sanchez Percussion, Fantasy (Cabildo) Primary Artist, Vocals, Vocals (Background) 1998 Departure Dan St. Marseille Percussion Performer, 1998 Listen in Color Primary Artist Guest Artist, Quinto, Unknown 1998 Sessions Bobby Matos Contributor Role The Concord Jazz 1998 Dave McKenna Congas Heritage Series Composer, The Concord Jazz Congas, Mixing, 1998 Poncho Sanchez Heritage Series Primary Artist, Vocals Compilation The Concord Jazz 1998 Cal Tjader Producer, Heritage Series Congas The Concord Jazz Performer, 1998 Heritage Series Primary Artist Sampler This Is Jazz, 1998 Stanley Clarke Congas Vol. 41 Year Album Artist Very Best of Composer, 1998 Latin Jazz Congas, Primary [Global TV] Artist Congas, A Jerome Kern Percussion, 1997 Songbook Jerome Kern Performer, [Concord] Primary Artist Congas, A Jerome Kern Percussion, 1997 Songbook Performer, [Excelsior] Primary Artist American Congas, Guest 1997 David Benoit Landscape Artist Congas, 1997 Duke Ellington Songbook Percussion Duke Ellington Congas, 1997 Songbook [1997] Percussion Congas, Fiesta Picante: Percussion, 1997 The Latin Jazz Performer, Party Collection Primary Artist Arranger, Composer, 1997 Freedom Sound Poncho Sanchez Congas, Mixing, Primary Artist, Vocals Composer, 1997 Latino Festival Performer, Primary Artist Performer, 1997 Latino! Latino! Primary Artist Year Album Artist Swingin’ Jazz for Congas, 1997 Hipsters, Vol. 2 Percussion Travel the World Performer, 1997 with Putumayo Primary Artist 1997 Womans Touch Charly Percussion Bongos, Composer, Congas, Baila Mi Gente: 1996 Poncho Sanchez Cowbell, Salsa! Percussion, Primary Artist, Vocals Choir/Chorus, Composer, Congas, Coro, 1996 Conga Blue Poncho Sanchez Handclapping, Percussion, Primary Artist, Soloist Jazz Celebration: 1996 A Tribute to Carl Congas Jefferson Latin Jazz Dance 1996 Congas Classics Jazziz: December 1995 Primary Artist 1995 Bongos, Congas, 1995 Rain or Shine Ron Eschete Trio Guest Artist, Timbales 1995 Retrospection Dan St. Marseille Percussion Year Album Artist Composer, Soul Sauce: Congas, 1995 Memories of Cal Poncho Sanchez Percussion, Tjader Primary Artist California Salsa H.M.A. Salsa-Jazz Congas, Guest 1994 II Orchestra Artist Congas, Quica, 1994 Happy Again The Jazz Crusaders Shaker Jazz Con Sabor 1994 The Garcia Brothers Liner Notes Latino Congas, Percussion, 1994 Para Todos Poncho Sanchez Primary Artist, Vocals The Endless Summer II [Music Guest Artist, 1994 Gary Hoey from the Motion Percussion Picture] Latin 1993 Contour Dan St. Marseille Percussion, Percussion 1993 East River Drive Stanley Clarke Congas Congas, Guest Artist, Unknown 1993 Just in Time Lucie Arnaz Contributor Role So I Married an Performer, 1993 Axe Murderer Primary Artist Congas, Guest 1993 T.O.P. Tower of Power Artist Year Album Artist Composer, Congas, Percussion, 1992 El Mejor Poncho Sanchez Primary Artist, Vocals, Vocals (Background) Latino Session 1992 Primary Artist [#1] A Night at Congas, 1991 Kimball’s East Poncho Sanchez Percussion, [Video/DVD] Primary Artist Love Is the 1991 Marcos Loya Congas Reason Composer, Congas, A Night at 1990 Poncho Sanchez Percussion, Kimball’s East Primary Artist, Vocals Composer, A Night with Congas, 1990 Poncho Sanchez Poncho Sanchez Percussion, Live: Bailar Primary Artist, Vocals Composer, Congas, 1990 Cambios Poncho Sanchez Percussion, Primary Artist, Vocals Congas, The Sound of Jazz Percussion, 1990 Picante Performer, Primary Artist Year Album Artist Composer, Congas, 1989 Chile con Soul Poncho Sanchez Percussion, Primary Artist, Vocals Congas, Percussion, 1988 La Familia Poncho Sanchez Performer, Primary Artist, Vocals Composer, 1987 Fuerte Poncho Sanchez Congas, Primary Artist Congas, Guest Artist, Unknown 1987 Woody’s Gold Star Woody Herman Contributor Role Bata, Composer, 1986 Papa Gato Poncho Sanchez Congas, Primary Artist Composer, Congas, 1985 El Conguero Poncho Sanchez Percussion, Primary Artist Congas, Guest Artist, Unknown 1984 Good Vibes Cal Tjader Contributor Role Composer, 1983 Bien Sabroso Poncho Sanchez Congas, Primary Artist Year Album Artist The Prodigious 1983 Piano of Bobby Bobby Enriquez Percussion Enriquez Congas, Percussion, 1982 Heat Wave Cal Tjader Unknown Contributor Role Composer, Congas, Percussion, 1982 Sonando Poncho Sanchez Primary Artist, Vocals (Background) Congas, Unknown 1981 Fuego Vivo Cal Tjader Contributor Role Congas, 1980 Gauiota Poncho Sanchez Percussion, Primary Artist Congas, Guest Artist, Percussion, 1980 Gozame! Pero Ya Cal Tjader Unknown Contributor Role Congas, 1980 Straight Ahead Poncho Sanchez Percussion, Primary Artist Year Album Artist Congas, Percussion, 1979 La Onda Va Bien Cal Tjader Unknown Contributor Role Congas, 1979 Poncho Poncho Sanchez Percussion, Primary Artist Bongos, 1978 Salsa Picante Clare Fischer Campana, Congas Bongos, Congas, 1977 Here and There Cal Tjader Percussion 1977 Killer Joe Percussion 1977 Percussion Grace Cathedral 1976 Cal Tjader Congas Concert After Work, Vol. Primary Artist 2 Congas, Quinto, Baila Que Baila José Rizo’s Mongorama Soloist Fernweh (My Jazz) Primary Artist José Rizo’s Congas, Guest José Rizo’s Mongorama Mongorama Artist, Soloist Latinesque Primary Artist Lifestyle2: Latin Primary Artist Jazz, Vol. 1 The Good Life Herman Lee Composer