The spicy Latin beats of world-renowned percussionist Poncho Sanchez will roll through the Manship Theatre tonight as a part of the River City Jazz Masters Series. The Grammy-winning artist describes his music as bebop crossed with authentic Latin and afro-cuban rhythms, such as meringue, son cubano, cha-cha-cha and mambo. “It has the flavor of the Latin music with the sophistication of jazz,” he said. Sanchez and his nine-piece band won a Grammy in 2000 for best Latin jazz album. The Poncho Sanchez Latin jazz band has produced 24 albums since its inception 28 years ago. It has played all over the world, from Colombia to Japan to Europe to New Orleans, but the band has never visited the Red Stick. Thanks to the River City Jazz Masters, in conjunction with the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, Sanchez will have his chance to bring a unique combination of Latin jazz, salsa and Latin soul to the city. Sanchez said the band started out as a straight up Latin jazz band, but people started asking for salsa music. He got the idea of mixing in soul music from his childhood. “I grew up in the ’50s and ’60s with soul music, like James Brown and Otis Redding,” he said. As the youngest of 11 children, Sanchez said he inherited the love of Latin music from his older siblings. “He is as comfortable performing with Ray Charles as he is with the Latin masters,” said Arts Council CEO Derek Gordon. That fact is evident in the list of music greats featured on his albums. Ray Charles, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader and Tower of Power have all been guest artists. “Even if you don’t know anything about Latin or jazz music, you should come see this guy,” said Zia Tammami, who has been playing Sanchez’s music on his Sunday morning KLSU radio show for 30 years. Tammami will be introducing Sanchez at the concert and said he is eager to finally meet the musician. “He’s very dynamic on stage,” Tammami said. Sanchez said it is not unusual for people in concert halls to get up and start dancing. “Even though it’s a sit-down concert, by the end they can’t take it no more, and they stand up dancing,” he said. Gordon said jazz musicians thrive on this kind of interaction with the audience. As far as people dancing in the Manship Theatre, he said, “If it’s ever going to happen, we’re going to see it tonight.” Adding to the melting pot of sound will be surprise guest Dale Spalding, a New Orleans blues musician who has been featured on harmonica on two of Sanchez’s albums. “We’re going to put some New Orleans blues into the show also with a Latin twist,” Sanchez said. “We’re going to mix it up.” He said there is something for everyone in his music, and concert goers are guaranteed a good time. Sanchez and his band will play two back-to-back shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets are available at the Manship Theatre box office for $25 to $45.
—Contact Lauren Walck at [email protected]