Beginning with his days as a member of seminal jazz vibraphonist Cal Tjader’s band at age 29, conguero Pancho Sanchez has been a percussion superstar ever since. As a teenager he taught himself guitar, drums and timbales before settling on the congas as his instrument of choice, but he began his musical career as lead singer in an R&B band. After a four year stint as only a singer, he found that Latin Jazz is what really wound his clock and dove into it with taped fingers flying. He has recorded well over 40 albums, some with Tjader, Clare Fischer and others, most of them with his own bands, and won a Grammy in 2000 for Best Latin Jazz Album. The Pancho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band is a swinging polyrhythmic group of 8 top notch musicians led by Sanchez, who also handles lead vocals and humorous lively commentary. Their visit to the Lobero, one of his favorite venues, October 12th was as hot as any Latin music you’re likely to hear, mixing salsa, Afro-Cuban jazz and some latinized R&B for an evening of super caliente ensemble work punctuated by searing solos. If you like to dance, in your seat or on your feet, you can’t do any better than the Pancho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band!!
