Grammy-winning Sanchez Meets with TAMIU Students

Grammy Award winner and Latin conga percussionist Poncho Sánchez will visit Texas A&M International University music students this week, and the University community is invited to attend the brief jam session to meet Sánchez and ask questions.

A cousin of TAMIU assistant band director Joe Guerra, Sánchez will be in Laredo to perform at the city's annual Jamboozie Festival. However, he will make a brief stop on campus to meet students this Friday, Jan. 25 from 1 - 2:30 p.m. at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Rehearsal Hall, room 129.

Guerra said he invited Sánchez to TAMIU because he wanted the Laredo native to meet the campus' musical talent and witness the growing Fine and Performing Arts program here.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity for the University community to meet a world-renowned artist, a Latin jazz band leader, conguero and salsa singer,” Guerra said, “As a native of Laredo, it gives me the greatest pleasure to introduce to the University one of our own who is a living and breathing testament to success in the world of Latin jazz.”

In 2000, Sánchez and his ensemble won the Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album for their work on the Concord Picante album “Latin Soul.” Among those Sánchez has performed with are the Tower of Power, Hugh Masakela, Arturo Sandoval, and the late Cal Tjader, Mongo Santamaría, Tito Puente and Ray Charles.

Sánchez's congas spin vivacious tales that pay homage to the glories of a half-century tradition born when Afro-Cuban rhythms merged with bebop.

“Do It!” is the latest in a long series of Sánchez releases that began in 1982 for Concord Picante.

For more information, please contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326-2180, e-mail prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.

University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu