Poncho Sanchez
Poncho Sanchez (born October 30, 1951), is a Mexican-American conguero (conga player), Latin jazz 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 Cal Tjader, Mongo Santamaría, Hugh Masekela, Clare Fischer and Tower of Power, among others.
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, son, cha-cha, rumba, guaracha, Changui and Son) by greats such as Tito Puente, and bebop jazz, including the works of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. Originally 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 timbales before finally deciding to pursue conga-playing in high school.
Podcasts:
Famous quotes by Poncho Sanchez:
Poncho Sanchez
ALBUMS
- Live In Hollywood released: 2012
- Raise Your Hand released: 2007
- Do It! released: 2005
- Instant Party: Just Add Poncho Sanchez released: 2004
- Out of Sight! released: 2003
- Conga Blue released: 2003
- Ultimate Latin Dance Party released: 2002
- Latin Spirits released: 2001
- Soul of the Conga released: 2000
- Latin Soul released: 1999
- Freedom Sound released: 1997
- A Night at Kimball's East released: 1996
- Baila mi gente: Salsa! released: 1996
- El mejor released: 1992
- Chile con soul released: 1990
- La familia released: 1989
- Papá Gato released: 1987
- Sonando released: 1982
- Poncho At Montreux released:
- Concord Jazz Heritage Series released:
- The Concord Jazz Heritage Series released:
- Afro-Cuban Fantasy released:
- ¡Fuerte! released:
- El Conguero released:
- Bien sabroso! released:
- A Night With Poncho Sanchez Live released:
- Para todos released:
- Cambios released:
- Soul Sauce: Memories of Cal Tjader released:
Baila mi gente: Salsa!
Released 1996- Yumbambe
- El Conguero (The Conga Player)
- Cuidate compai (Take Care of Yourself, My Friend)
- Mama guela (Grandmother)
- Baila mi gente (Dance, My People)
- Son son charari (The Charari Dance)
- Dichoso (Content)
- Con migo (With Me)
- Sonando (Making Sound)
- Co co my my (Coconut Corn)
- Soul Sauce (Guachi guara)
- Ven morena (Come, My Beautiful Dark Woman)
Latest News for: Poncho Sanchez
7 concerts you won’t want to miss this week in San Diego County
San Diego Union-Tribune
26 Mar 2025
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