David Sanchez

GRAMMY® award-winner David Sánchez is recognized around the world as one of
the finest saxophonists of his generation.
His mastery of the instrument is undeniable and his sound unmistakable.
Combine that with Sánchez's deep-seated knowledge of both Jazz and Latin
music, and the traditions that mold them, and the results are extraordinary.
In a review, world-renown jazz writer and critic Howard Reich saluted the
bandleader saying, "Sánchez's prowess on saxophone is matched by the
intellectual depth of his concept and compositions". Reich has also noted
“Technically, tonally and creatively, he seems to have it all. Recordings such
as "The Departure" (1994), "Sketches of Dreams" (1995), "Obsesion" (1998) and
"Cultural Survival" (2008) showed Sánchez merging jazz syntax with the musical
dialects of his native Puerto Rico and other Caribbean and Latin American
sources.”
The influences of Puerto Rican folkloric music can be clearly heard on "Street
Scenes" (1996), his debut album on Sony/Columbia. Strains of Bomba and Plena
are also evident on "Obsesion" (1998) and "Melaza" (2000) both produced by the
great saxophonist Branford Marsalis, as well as "Travesía" (2001), Sánchez's
first entirely self-produced recording.
It was another recording, “Coral, " that would earn David his fifth GRAMMY®
award nomination and his first Latin Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Album
in 2005. “Coral” features orchestrations and arrangements by prolific
Argentine composer Carlos Franzetti wit h the City of Prague Philharmonic. The
album showcases compositions by Villa-Lobos, Jobim, Ginastera, Francetti and
Sánchez. All Music.com observes "Sánchez is poised to take his place among the
great jazz musicians that continue to offer important personal and musical
insights to their audiences". "Coral" is a necessity for any jazz or classical
record collection".
"Cultural Survival", David's 2008 debut on Concord Records, earned the artist
his sixth GRAMMY® award nomination. Two years later, Sánchez, Stefon Harris
and Christian Scott came together for the "Ninety Miles Project." The
successful album and documentary film were recorded in Havana and featured not
only the three bandleaders but also some of Cuba's finest musicians. Jazz
Times music writer Michael J. West noted, "The saxophonist is the real star:
He’s exquisite on “The Forgotten Ones,” a ballad duet with Harris, and
provides romance on “This Too” and dark intrigue on the album’s one new tune,
“Paradise Found.” The project would later become The Ninety Miles Band, where
Harris and Sánchez would further develop their unique musical partnership.
Sánchez continues to tour the world as a bandleader, bringing his mix of
mainstream jazz with Afro-Latin influences to audiences around the globe. At
the same time, he is also a member of The SFJazz Collective, an all-star octet
representing the SFJazz organization. The Collective, has been one of the
most prolific ensembles of the last decade. It's known for its stellar
musicians, groundbreaking compositions and innovative takes on the music of
some of the world's most influential artists.
Sánchez's unique musical sensibility can be traced to his home, Puerto Rico,
where he began playing percussion and drums at age 8. He migrated to tenor
saxophone a few years later. While a student at the prestigious La Escuela
Libre de Música in San Juan, he took up the flute, clarinet as well as soprano
saxophone with teachers Angel Marrero and Leslie López. The Bomba and Plena
rhythms of his homeland, along with Cuban, Caribbean and Brazilian traditions,
were among the biggest influence on Sanchez's early taste in music. But soon
jazz masters such as Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon and John Coltrane would
command his ear and his imagination. "Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Wayne
Shorter and Joe Henderson all have been also major influences. Of course, and
many, many others."
In 1988 Sánchez auditioned for and won a music scholarship at Rutgers
University. He says, "Having the opportunity to studied with masters such as
Kenny Barron, Ted Dunbar, Larry Ridley among others, was a true blessing". He
was soon immersed in New York's swirling Jazz scene and was quickly recruited
to tour with piano giant and mentor Eddie Palmieri. He also performed with
Hilton Ruiz and Claudio Roditi who brought Sánchez to the attention of Jazz
legend Dizzy Gillespie. In 1991, Gillespie invited the young saxophonist to
join his "Live the Future" tour with Miriam Makeba. Later having the
opportunity to be a part of Gillespie's recording, "Live At The Blue Note"
Sánchez has also performed and recorded with Jazz Master and mentor, Kenny
Barron (album "The Spirit Song"), Roy Haynes (album "Praise"), Charlie Haden
(album "Nocturne"), Roy Hargrove (Album "Crisol"), Pat Metheny, Lalo
Schiffrin, Danilo Perez, Tom Harrell, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Kenny Werner, and had
the opportunity to perform with the legendary drummer Elvin Jones
David Sánchez is also "Maestro Sánchez" to students at the Conservatorio de
Música de Puerto Rico. In a decade of teaching, he has proven to be a
compelling presence with student musicians and is in demand for workshops and
master classes in Puerto Rico and beyond. Sánchez's passion for teaching and
sharing his art with up and coming musicians is palpable. " It gives me such
tremendous joy. I see so much talent out there. I am very optimistic and I
look forward to the future of music.”
In addition to his position as Artist in Residence at the Music Conservatory
of Puerto Rico, Sánchez has taught master classes in Brazil, at the Peabody
Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, Indiana University's School of Music,
Stanford University, University of Memphis, Emory University and completed a
year-long residency at Georgia State University. Such work, he says, "gives me
great satisfaction. At the same time, it's a real challenge, and you end up
learning so much yourself. You give, but you receive too."