The concert will be held in SBVC’s historic Greek Theatre – no admission will be charged.
SAN BERNARDINO – Grammy-winning Latin jazz musician Poncho Sanchez will perform at San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) on Sunday, October 12.
The concert is at 6 p.m. in SBVC’s historic Greek Theatre. Seating is first come, first served. As part of the college’s centennial celebration, no admission will be charged.
For more than 30 years, Sanchez has “stirred up a fiery stew of straight-ahead jazz, gritty soul music, and infectious melodies and rhythms from a variety of Latin American and South American sources,” according to his biography.
“Valley College President Dr. Gilbert Contreras has been best friends with my son, Xavier Mongo Sanchez, for many years, so this performance has been a long time coming. We’re always thrilled for the chance to play for the vibrant, multicultural community of the Inland Empire, and I can’t wait to finally share this special show with everyone,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez, who grew up in Norwalk, taught himself to play guitar, flute and drums, but eventually focused on the conga drums. He has released more than 20 albums and has been nominated for six Grammys and four Latin Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. His album Latin Soul won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Album in 1999.
His last studio album, Trane’s Delight, pays tribute to jazz legend John Coltrane. He released a live album this year recorded at Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. One of his band members, Giancarlo Anderson, teaches music at SBVC.
Guitarist Dariel Peniazek and violinist and vocalist Rosalie Rodriguez will open for Sanchez with “South America en guitarra.”
“As a lifelong student of Latin Jazz, and as a newcomer to Southern California, it is an honor for me to open this program for the great Poncho Sanchez, and to participate in just a small piece of this master’s rich musical history,” Peniazek said.
Concertgoers can enjoy food and beverages from Tacolandia and free parking in lots 2, 3 and 4 at 701 S. Mount Vernon Ave. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for picnicking on the grass near the Greek Theatre and bring canned and boxed nonperishable food items to donate to the SBVC student food pantry.
The concert is part of SBVC’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
