SPOKANE SYMPHONY HEATS UP WITH CELEBRATED LATIN JAZZ MASTER PONCHO SANCHEZ

Oct 31, 2007

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 464-7071

SPOKANE: Grammy-Award winning Latin Jazz performer Poncho Sanchez and his band will join the Spokane Symphony to bring sizzling, rhythmic jazz with a Congo beat on Saturday Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. at the INB Performing Arts Center. The concert, which is part of the SuperPops series, will be conducted by Morihiko Nakahara, and feature the sizzling sounds of the most popular Latin Jazz group in the world today.

Over the last 25 years, Poncho Sanchez has produced 22 albums without becoming predictable. Sanchez is the quintessential story-teller, using conga drums and his expressive voice to relate vivacious tales that pay homage to the glories of a half-century tradition that was born when Afro-Cuban rhythms merged with bebop. In 2000, he won a Grammy Award for best Latin Jazz Performance. However, Sanchez is not one to limit himself to a specific music genre: his latest album, Raise Your Hand, reflects his interest in a wide spectrum of musical styles, including salsa, traditional Cuban music, bebop-rooted Latin Jazz, R & B, and vintage Latin soul.

Born in Texas in the early 50's, Sanchez spent his formative years learning from the late Cuban conga master Mongo Santamaria and a sideman for Latin jazz vibraphonist Cal Tjader, before rising to his current position of prominence in the Latin jazz universe. He is now become an international ambassador for the music he has idolized since his youth. a truly one-of-a-kind Latin music star. Raise Your Hand is the latest affirmation of his prowess -- a bold testament to his multi-faceted artistry and unbridled affection for the music to which he has dedicated his life.

Tickets range from $20 to $44 and are available in advance without service charge at the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office, 818 W. Riverside, Suite100, or by calling 509-624-1200. Tickets are also available at all TicketsWest outlets or by calling 1-800-325-SEAT or at www.spokanesymphony.org.

This concert is underwritten by Eastern Washington University and Best Western Peppertree Inns.

CALENDAR LISTING:
Sizzling Latin Jazz Pops Concert with Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band; Morihiko Nakahara conducts the Spokane Symphony; Nov. 10 at 8:00 p.m. in the INB Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $20 to $44; Call the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office at (509) 624-1200; tickets are also available, with service charges, through TicketsWest outlets or by calling 325-SEAT or 1-800-325-SEAT.