Poncho Sanchez: Trane's Delight

October 08, 2019

Poncho Sanchez: Trane's Delight

Like many Latin jazz legends—including Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Carlos "Patato" Valdés, Ray Barretto, Candido, Carlos Vidal and others—Poncho Sanchez is a percussionist. Born in Laredo, Texas, Sanchez has been a leading conga player and bandleader for decades. His big break came in 1975, when vibraphonist Cal Tjader hired him for his band. Before he died in 1982, Tjader urged Concord Records to sign Sanchez. The label took Tjader's advice, and Sanchez has recorded 27 albums for Concord over the past 37 years, winning a Grammy along the way (for Latin Soul in 1991). Starting with Poncho for the Discovery label in 1979, Sanchez has maintained a stunning consistency as a leader. Every album I can think of is leg-shaking and loaded with the most seductive Latin grooves sifted with top-shelf jazz. That's a tribute to Sanchez's superb taste and a love of the listener. There's never any wheel-spinning with Sanchez, only seduction at every turn.

Now the savory tradition has been extended to Sanchez's latest album, Trane's Delight (Concord Picante). The album, dedicated to John Coltrane, is more of a tip of the hat to the saxophonist than a mirroring of his compositions. In fact, only three of the 11 tracks on the album are Coltrane's originals—Liberia, Giant Steps and Blue Train. But you can hear Coltrane's boldness and confidence throughout. Hats off to Francisco Torres, who wrote the gentle mambo, son, bolero and cha-cha-cha arrangements.

Sanchez has the most seductive conga rhythms, and his carefully chosen team of musicians follows suit in terms of playing tough but pretty. His vision for the sound he wants and the textures delivered are remarkable. If you're not keeping tempo with your thumbs on a hard surface while listening to this album, something is wrong. Trane's Delight is one of my favorite albums of the year and a must own. Bravo Poncho!