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 Valentines
Party with Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
Saturday,
February 16, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
Ventura High School Theatre (Map)
2 North Catalina Street
Ventura, California
“Portions of the audience danced
freely during several numbers, yet listened almost
as intently as if this were Orchestra Hall during
others.” — Chicago
Tribune
More than anything else, Poncho Sanchez is a storyteller.
And, as leader of the most popular Latin jazz group in
the world today, it's his congas and seasoned ensemble
that do the talking. Live in concert or on recordings,
they spin vivacious tales that pay homage to the glories
of a half-century tradition that was born when Afro-Cuban
rhythms merged with bebop. One-on-one, the Chicano conguero
is equally expressive, recounting in vivid detail the encounters,
friendships, and passions that have contributed to his
remarkable career as a band leader and recording artist.
 Today,
Sanchez's life story has become a well-known part
of Latin jazz lore. He was born in Texas in 1951
but grew up in the Los Angeles area, where he was
weaned on a broad range of Latin and non-Latin popular
music. Inspired by the conga playing of Cuban great
Mongo Santamaria, he honed his skills as a percussionist
and broke into the limelight at the age of 23 when
he joined Cal Tjader's famed Latin jazz ensemble
in 1975. Poncho performed with him until Tjader's
untimely death in 1982. A year later, he began his
unprecedented 23-year relationship with Concord Records,
which has produced two dozen recordings, a GRAMMY® Award
and several GRAMMY nominations.
Program will be announced from the stage.
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