Biography
Poncho Sanchez, born in 1951 in Laredo, Texas, as the youngest of 11 children in a Mexican-American family, moved to Los Angeles where he immersed himself in the local music scene, playing in clubs and developing his conga skills. At age 24 in 1975, he joined Cal Tjader's band, a pivotal moment that shaped his career in Latin jazz; he stayed until Tjader's death in 1982, forming his own group in 1980 and recording early albums. Signing with Concord Picante in 1982 on Tjader's recommendation, Sanchez released 18 albums, won a Grammy for Latin Soul in 1999, and became a torchbearer for Latin jazz innovators like Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, and Tjader, blending straightahead jazz, soul, and Latin rhythms from congas and percussion.[1][4][10]
Terence Blanchard, born March 13, 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as an only child, began trumpet studies early and launched his career in 1980 with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra while at Rutgers University. In 1982, Wynton Marsalis recommended him to replace himself in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, where he served as lead soloist and musical director until 1986, then co-led a quintet with Donald Harrison, recording seven albums. Blanchard transitioned to film composing with over 80 scores, including Academy-nominated works for Spike Lee films, composed operas like Fire Shut Up in My Bones (Metropolitan Opera premiere 2021), and explored Latin jazz through collaborations, maintaining a style rooted in jazz innovation and New Orleans heritage.[2][5]
Together, Sanchez and Blanchard collaborated on the 2011 Concord album Chano y Dizzy!, tributing Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo's Afro-Cuban jazz innovations, with Blanchard on trumpet embodying Gillespie's role and Sanchez on congas channeling Pozo. Their shared Latin jazz passion—Blanchard as a lifelong fan—produced a Grammy-nominated work highlighting multicultural jazz fusion, cementing their legacies in preserving and evolving the genre through performances and recordings.[2][3][4][6]
Fun Facts
- Poncho Sanchez was called the 'Elvis of Salsa and Latin Jazz' for his storytelling through congas, narrating Afro-Caribbean history like a pianist.
- Terence Blanchard's operas Fire Shut Up in My Bones (2021) and Champion (2022) made history at the Met—first by a Black composer, and first successive premieres by a living composer since Richard Strauss.
- Sanchez formed his group in 1980 to cover for Cal Tjader's vacations, recording two Discovery albums before Tjader's death led to his Concord signing.
- Blanchard scored music for Disney's Tiana's Bayou Adventure theme park attraction in 2024, inspired by The Princess and the Frog.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Cal Tjader - Band leader who gave Sanchez his big break (Tjader's band (1975-1982), recommended Concord signing) [1975-1982]
- Art Blakey - Band leader and musical director role for Blanchard in Jazz Messengers (The Jazz Messengers albums) [1982-1986]
- Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader - Stylistic influences and icons Sanchez emulates (General career inspiration) [Ongoing]
Key Collaborators
- Terence Blanchard - Co-leader on tribute album (Chano y Dizzy! (2011)) [2011]
- Francisco Torres - Trombonist and musical director in Sanchez's band (Multiple albums including Trane’s Delight) [Longterm]
- Donald Harrison - Co-led quintet with Blanchard (Seven albums (1986-1991)) [1986-1991]
- Ron Blake, Rob Hardt, Andy Langham - Core band members for Sanchez (Trane’s Delight and others) [Ongoing]
Artists Influenced
- Christian McBride, Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove - New generation influenced by Blanchard-Harrison quintet (Early careers inspired) [1990s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Live In Hollywood | 2012-01-01 | Album |
| Live in Hollywood | 2012-10-23 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Morning - Live (Live In Hollywood)
- Poncho Sanchez Medley - Live (Live In Hollywood)
- Mambo Inn / On Green Dolphin Street - Live (Live In Hollywood)
- Crosscut Saw - Live (Live In Hollywood)
- Promenade - Live (Live In Hollywood)
- Afro Blue - Live (Live In Hollywood)
- Son Son Charari - Live (Live In Hollywood)
- Morning (Live in Hollywood)
- A Ti Nama - Live (Live In Hollywood)
- Poncho Sanchez Medley (Live in Hollywood)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
poncho sanchez and terence blanchard has been played 11 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station. Showing the 10 most recent plays.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3, 2026 | 13:18 | Watermelon Manfrom The Colors of Latin Jazz / Latin Jam | Tiene Sabor (Latin Show)w/ Yolanda Estrada | |
| Dec 15, 2025 | 17:11 | nocturnafrom poncho sanchez and terence blanchard=chano y dizzy | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Maryse Dejean | |
| Dec 13, 2025 | 13:25 | Asi, asifrom Soul of The Conga | Tiene Sabor (Latin Show)w/ Yolanda Estrada | |
| Dec 1, 2025 | 17:02 | Transformfrom Bounce | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Maryse Dejean | |
| Nov 24, 2025 | 00:43 | Otis & Tien Have Dinnerfrom Da 5 Bloods Original Motion Picture Score | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis | |
| Nov 22, 2025 | 13:07 | Ven Pa' Bailarfrom Destination: Cuba Buena Vista and Beynd | Tiene Sabor (Latin Show)w/ Yolanda Estrada | |
| Nov 6, 2025 | 08:10 | Transformfrom Bounce | The Morning Setw/ Scott Borne | |
| Oct 31, 2025 | 16:49 | Ghost Of Congo Squarefrom A Tale Of God`s Will (A Requiem | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Charles Burchell | |
| Oct 20, 2025 | 07:38 | On The Vergefrom Bounce | The Morning Setw/ Stuart Hall | |
| Oct 10, 2025 | 07:16 | Liberiafrom Trane's Delight | The Morning Setw/ Dave Dauterive |