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The legendary Poncho Sanchez and his octet kick off USC’s annual jazz festival.
One of 11 children born into a Mexican American family in Laredo, Texas, Poncho Sanchez grew up in Southern California where he was influenced by the tropical Latin music of Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Dizzy Gillespie and the R&B sounds of his youth.
Sanchez started performing at an early age.
“I started out as a singer before I did anything else in music,” Sanchez said of his formative years in Norwalk, Calif., during the 1960s.
“In high school, I was a straight, stand-up singer and used to sing soul, R&B and oldies. I was the front man for a band – that’s where I learned all the James Brown moves and how to lead a band. I learned it doing weddings and high school dances.”
In 1975, Sanchez was asked to join vibraphonist Cal Tjader’s popular Latin jazz group for a New Year’s Eve performance at L.A.’s famed Ambassador Hotel. “I was very proud and very strong, and I was so much into being with Cal, it was an honor – a dream come true,” said Sanchez, who maintained a close association with Tjader until his death.
In 1980, the man with the bushy beard and ever-present Kangol Tropicap formed his own band.
Sanchez and the members of his octet now are passionate exponents of the bedrock style of Afro-Cuban Latin jazz which originated more than 50 years ago. Called “the new king of Latin jazz” by Jazz Times, the Grammy Award-winning artist reigns over one of the most dynamic styles of the last century.
“Although I am a purist – I like to stay within the limits and boundaries of traditional jazz – I love to experience and stretch out so much,” said Sanchez in an interview with Jazz Voice On-line. “We also like to do James Brown instrumentals. That’s what is great about jazz. It can take you to new places just by experimenting.”
Over the years, guest artists on his records have included Puente, Santamaria, Eddie Harris, Dianne Reeves, Terence Blanchard and Joey DeFrancesco.
As he heads toward the studio to record a follow-up to 2003’s “Out of Sight,” the 52-year-old Sanchez said he already is fantasizing about who he’d like to have as a guest.
Not surprisingly, James Brown is at the top of that list.
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