Poncho Sanchez to receive Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

Latin jazz bandleader and conguero player Poncho Sanchez was among the list of individuals who will receive  The Latin Recording Academy®’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The list of winners, which also includes Luz Casal, Leo Dan, Rita Moreno, Milton Nascimento, Daniela Romo, and Toquinho, was announced last Thursday.

This year’s exceptional group of honorees not only beautifully represent our diverse music communities but exemplify the meaning of being a true pioneer of one’s craft as well as being internationally recognized within their respective musical genres. We continue the privilege of honoring and celebrating these iconic individuals whose contributions and accomplishments continue to leave an indelible legacy in the world of Latin music and will continue to inspire future generations of musicians and music fans for many years.” – Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy

From Latingrammy.com:

Lifetime Achievement Awards: This Special Award is presented by vote of The Latin Recording Academy’s Trustees to performers who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording during their careers. Influenced by Latin jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo, Mexican-American conguero, Latin jazz bandleader and salsa singer Poncho Sánchez is considered one of the top percussionists of all time. Self-taught at a young age to play guitar, flute, drums, and timbales, it was the congas that captured his heart. In 1975 he quickly became a member of famed vibraphonist Cal Tjader’s ensemble until 1982. His career has lasted more than three decades and includes more than 30 albums, numerous musical collaborations and a GRAMMY for Best Latin Jazz Performance in 1999. His self-described rhythmic style blends the harmonic sophistication of jazz with American standards and the flavor of Latin American music. Ever the consummate artist, he continues performing in concert halls and local jazz festivals throughout the world.


To read the complete release by the Latin Recording Academy, visit their website by clicking here.

Five places to have a jazzy New Year’s Eve

Looking to ring in the new year with some live music? There are a lot of venues around the country that have special New Year’s Eve programs lined up with some all-star musicians. Here are five shows from around the U.S. we chose to highlight, including one from Seattle.

NEW YORK – Wynton Marsalis: The Music of Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, Jazz at Lincoln Center

Reservations are available by phone only 212-258-9595/9795.

Early Diz: 7:30pm — $350 per person
includes music charge and 4-course meal, and party favors
Doors open at 6pm

Midnite Diz: 11pm — $500 per person
includes music charge, complimentary one-hour cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, 5-course meal, champagne toast, parting gifts, and party favors
Cocktail Reception at 9pm
Doors open for show at 10pm

Ring in 2012 in the tradition of New Orleans with Wynton Marsalis and his trusted ensemble. Wynton Marsalis, trumpet; Dan Nimmer, piano; Carlos Henriquez, bass; Ali Jackson, drums; Walter Blanding, reeds; Wess Anderson, reeds; Victor Goines, reeds; Marcus Printup, trumpet; Chris Crenshaw, trombone; James Chirillo, guitar and banjo; Ricky “Dirty Red” Gordon, washboard and percussion.

BOSTON – Christian McBride & Inside Straight with special guest Melissa Walker at Scullers Jazz Club

8pm Show: $50 per person
Dinner & Show: $309 per couple*
11pm Show: $60 per person
Dinner & Show: $379 per couple*, includes hats, noisemakers & a champagne toast
*includes tax & gratuity, does not include drinks

…And stay the night for an additional $119 a night, not including tax.

Bassist extraordinaire, composer, arranger, educator, curator and administrator, Christian McBride, has been one of the most important and most omnipresent figures in the jazz world for 20 years. Sometimes hard to believe considering this man is not yet 40.

WASHINGTON D.C. – Monty Alexander at Blues Alley

6:00 PM – (Doors Open at 5:30) – $100 per person Includes: 3 course meal, non alcoholic beverages (bottled water excluded), tax and gratuity. 10:00 PM – (Doors Open at 9:30) – $150 per person Includes: 3 course meal, non alcoholic beverages (bottled water excluded), champagne by the glass, hats, noise makers, tax and gratuity.

In a career spanning five decades, pianist Monty Alexander has built a reputation exploring the worlds of American jazz, popular song, and the music of his native Jamaica, finding in each a sincere spirit of musical expression. In the process, he has performed and recorded with artists from every corner of the musical universe: Frank Sinatra, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Sly & Robbie Shakespeare, among many others.

SAN FRANCISCO – Maceo Parker’s New Years Party at Yoshi’s San Francisco Jazz Club

  • 8pm: $50
  • 10pm: $100“Parker talks with his sax, chatters away without a seeming care. It’s a musical antidepressant, an antidote to dark days. ….firmed my belief that the world would be a better place if we all funked together.”-San Diego Reader

    Lineup:

    Maceo Parker Band – leader, sax, flute, vocals

    Dennis Rollins – trombone

    Will Boulware – keys

    Bruno Speight – guitar

    Rodney ” Skeet” Curtis – bass

    Marcus Parker – drums

    Martha High – vocals

    Corey Parker – vocals

SEATTLE – Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz New Year’s Eve Celebration at Jazz Alley

The Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley welcomes Grammy Winning Master Conguero Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band for 4 nights and 8 shows. Band members: Poncho Sanchez (Congas/Vocals), Joey De Leon (Timbales), Rene Camacho (Bass), Ron Blake (Trumpet), Robert Hardt (Alto and Tenor Saxophone), Francisco Torres (Trombone), Jose Rodriguez (Bongos) and Andy Langham (Piano).

NEW YEAR’S EVE PACKAGES:

1) The 1st Show Dinner Package includes admission to the first show, a four-course dinner and tax & tip. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the music starts 8:45 PM & continues until 10:00 PM. $105.50 per person

2) The “Ring in The New Year” Package includes admission to the second show, choice of dessert, coffee or tea, party favors and includes tax & tip. Doors at 10:30 PM and music starts at 11PM. $80.50 per person

3) All Evening Package (1 and 2 above) $155.50 per person

4) First Show Only $52.50 per person

 

10 Best Jazz Albums of 2011

I realize that there are a lot of people who do not care for the word “best” when it comes to music. To those, you may also call this list “Kevin’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2011” if you’d like. Regardless, it is simply my opinion of 10 releases that stood out to me over the past year (with an informal ranking). Enjoy!

1. Live in Marciac – Brad Mehldau (Nonesuch, February 2, 2011) CLICK HERE TO BUY

2. Bird Songs – Joe Lovano/Us Five (EMI Catalogue, March 21, 2011) CLICK HERE TO BUY

3. Three Stories – Eldar Djangirov (Masterworks Jazz, April 5, 2011) CLICK HERE TO BUY

4. Forever – Corea, Clarke, & White (Concord Jazz, June 6, 2011) CLICK HERE TO BUY

5. Chano y Dizzy! – Poncho Sanchez & Terence Blanchard (Concord Picante, September 27, 2011) CLICK HERE TO BUY

6. Songs From the Chateau – Kyle Eastwood (Mack Avenue, August 29, 2011) CLICK HERE TO BUY

7. Ninety Miles – Stefon Harris/David Sanchez/Christian Scott (Concord, June 21, 2011) CLICK HERE TO BUY

8. Dawn of Goodbye – Dominick Farinacci (E1 Entertainment, July 26, 2011) CLICK HERE TO BUY

9. ‘Round Midnight – Karrin Allyson (Concord Jazz, May 3, 2011) CLICK HERE TO BUY

10. Road Shows, Vol. 2 – Sonny Rollins (Emarcy, September 13, 2011) CLICK HERE TO BUY

Poncho Sanchez to Receive Jazz Tribute Award

From Jazziz Magazine: The Los Angeles Jazz Society’s (LAJS) 27th Annual Jazz Tribute Awards Dinner & Concert, honoring percussionist Poncho Sanchez with the organization’s Jazz Tribute Award, will be held Sunday, October 10, at the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown Hotel. Pianist and composer Mike Melvoin will also receive a Lifetime Achievement Award during the event, which raises money to promote music education and the legacy of jazz throughout Los Angeles.

Former basketball star and longstanding jazz connoisseur Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will present Sanchez with his award during ceremonies, which will also honor Dee Dee Bridgewater (Jazz Vocalist Award), Bill Cunliffe (Jazz Composer/Arranger Award), Anita E. Berry (Teri Merrill-Aarons Founders Award), John Mosley (Jazz Educator Award) and Chloe Feoranzo (Shelly Manne Memorial New Talent Award). Master of Ceremonies Leonard Maltin will preside at the event, for which Norman Lear is Honorary Tribute Chair and the Herb Alpert Foundation is Tribute Host.

Promoted as a “Night of Live Jazz Not to be Missed,” and featuring over 90 minutes of live music, many of the 2010 LAJS honorees will perform, including the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, Bridgewater, Feoranzo, Cunliffe and his big band, and the Mike Melvoin Trio.

For tickets and more information, go to www.lajazz.org or call 818-994-4661.

Jazziz Magazine