Poncho Sanchez

There’s always been a pecking order among Latin jazz musicians that values ethnicity before talent, where Cubano or Puertorriqueño is a more important designation of ability for players than their actual musical chops. Following Tito Puente’s passing in 2000, critics were quick to begin the search for the next king of Latin jazz, and as ridiculous as it sounds, the importance of uninterrupted lineage still drives the engine of development in the jazz genre. Now imagine the shock of traditionalist aficionados when a Chicano from Norwalk, California — Poncho Sanchez — was declared Puente’s heir apparent by Jazz Times in 2001. Following the initial barrage of cheers and jeers, Sanchez has learned to carry the distinction with a full understanding of the irony the title deserves. Latin jazz encompasses so much more than the music of the islands, a fact that Sanchez has warmly embraced since his early days as an apprentice under the tutelage of the legendary Cal Tjader. From straight-ahead swing to the sounds of New Orleans’ Crescent City calypso, Sanchez has come to incorporate a myriad of beats and feels into his expansive view of modern Latin jazz. And though traditions are an important element of the style, Sanchez proves that there’s always room for a few more.