The Mexican-American conguero, Poncho Sanchez, will revive the Southeast part of San Diego's economy with his Latin jazz virtuosity thanks to the non-profit Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation concert series. The Grammy-winning bandleader and singer known for seamlessly fusing straight-ahead jazz and Latin rhythms unites music fans of all ages at his concerts.
Always donning his signature beard and Kangol tropic-style hats, Sanchez is easily one of the most recognizable faces in music and today's unequivocal standard to Latin Jazz. Since 1979, Sanchez has produced 26 studio albums and six compilations. Notable to his catalog is the collaboration with labelmate Terrence Blanchard on "Chano Y Dizzy!" (2011), a tribute to the late jazz great Dizzy Gillespie, and Chano Pozo “the godfather of conga drummers.”
"To me, Latin jazz is the world's greatest music," says Sanchez. "It has the melodic and harmonic sophistication of jazz and American standards, and the flavor and energy of Latin American music. What I'm most proud of is that this music -- while it may sound exotic at times -- is from America. It was born in New York City, when Chano Pozo met Dizzy Gillespie for the first time in the mid-1940s. They created something that didn't exist before in this country. I'm very proud to take this music all over the world all the time."
Purchase Poncho Sanchez tickets here. Ticket holders can enjoy pre-show salsa lessons for free. A full bar and concessions will also be available.
Dita Quinones is a multimedia journalist born in Tijuana with a passion for Latin alternative and hip-hop music news. Her main goal is to uplift and inform so that the Latino, Filipino and hip-hop community get knitted into the fabric of American history. In addition to SoundDiego, she contributes to Latina, Fox News Latino, Poder, VidaVibrante, San Diego CityBeat and HipHopDx. She is also the founder of the infamous music and politrix blog GN$F! Follow Dita on Twitter or on Facebook.
