Latin Fusion Kicks off Twilight Dance Series

By Lookout Staff

June 29 -- Grammy-winning artist Poncho Sanchez kicks off the summer Twilight Dance Series with his trademark Latin-jazz-rock rhythms Thursday night on the Santa Monica Pier.

Considered one of the most influential conga players and percussionists in Afro-Cuban jazz, Poncho Sanchez is also one of the top Latin bandleaders on the scene, with a band that is versatile and always busy recording and playing live dates.

A key member of Cal Tjader's pacesetting group, Sanchez helped pioneer a sound that melded Latin music, jazz, soul, R&B and pop and presaged the fusion music of Carlos Santana.

"Our main goal is always to keep Latin jazz alive, growing and moving, while being authentic to the music that we love," Sanchez said. "As I always say in clinics, this music is not just for Latino people. It was born in the United States, and it is American music. It is for everybody!"

A native of Laredo, Texas, Sanchez moved to Los Angeles when he was four, soaking in the music he heard in his Chicano neighborhood.

He taught himself to play guitar, flute, drums, and timbales before settling on the congas. After a period playing with local bands, he joined Tjader's band in 1975 and was an important part of the group until his idol's death in 1982.

In addition to recording as a soloist, Sanchez has been featured on albums by the Jazz Cusaders, Eddie Harris, Freddie Hubbard, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Dianne Reeves, Joey DeFrancesco, and Terrance Blanchard. After more than two decades in music, Sanchez's efforts paid off when his album, Latin Soul, received a Grammy award as Best Latin Album of 1999.

The free Twilight Dance Series marks the beginning and end of summer and makes Thursday part of the weekend. For more information visit the Santa Monica Pier web site.