Amgelica Sanchez

Conguero Poncho Sanchez is one of the movers and shakers in Latin jazz. But while growing up in the 1960s, he was obsessed with the classic Stax and Motown sounds, and this influence peeks out from time to time in his music. Never more so than on Out Of Sight!, which actually functions as a tribute to his hero James Brown. Here Sanchez makes it funky with such soulful luminaries as Billy Preston, Ray Charles (who sings his classic "Mary Ann"), Sam Moore (of Sam And Dave fame), and Brown alumni Fred Wesley and Pee Wee Ellis. Suffice it to say, Sanchez's band and guests dig a groove deep enough to make the Godfather proud. They don't rely on the hits either; instead, choosing some lesser-known 1960s boogaloo gems and Brown jams, as well as some groovy new originals. Sanchez is surprisingly impressive on vocals here, but it's the tight and funky Latin arrangements that make this so super bad.

On LORD, HOW COME ME HERE?, composer Shawn Okpebholo turns the mirror of history on today’s society with his own work and a reimagined collection of spirituals by enslaved Africans and American folk hymns that draws upon music from the past to critique contemporary racial injustices in the United States and around the globe. An ensemble of mezzo-soprano (J’Nai Bridges), baritone (Will Liverman), piano (Paul Sánchez), cello, and flute poignantly bring Okpebholo’s music to life, from hopeful anthems celebrating community to laments between a mother and her Creator and hymns celebrating faith and hope over hate and fear.

Conga player Poncho Sanchez has been one of the leaders in Latin jazz for a decade. This outstanding studio recording delivers the excitement with the addition of special guest Mongo Santamaria on "Watermelon Man" and several originals. Great solos by trumpeter Stan "Be Bop" Martin and baritone saxophonist Scott Martin add spice to the lively percussion of Sanchez and his group.

Two stars of international jazz, an amazing orchestra, a truly fresh repertoire and outstanding arrangements developed for a unique event to take place: the meeting of Antonio Sanchez on drums, Vince Mendoza as conductor and arranger and the WDR Big Band. Two invaluable CDs packed with everything you may dream)when you are about to listen to such a stellar Big Band that is conducted by a genius like Mendoza and plays music by an undisputed giant like Sanchez.

"Conga Blue" features Poncho's lifelong mentor: the great Mongo Santamaria. Mongo has been such an important influence on Poncho, he named his first son after him. The audio sample "Besame Mama", was written by Mongo Santamaria. This album was recorded on November 13, 14, 1995, at the Group IV studios in Hollywood, California.

Brooklyn-based bassist/composer Kenneth Jimenez presents his new work Sonnet to Silence on We Jazz Records, 17 November. Consisting of 7 original compositions by Jimenez performed by his quartet including pianist Angelica Sanchez, drummer Gerald Cleaver and saxophonist Hery Paz, Sonnet to Silence echoes the original fire of New York free jazz while stepping into a terrain of its own, boldly forward-thinking.

Maxime Sanchez is a pianist who combines powerful technique, a profound harmonic vocabulary, and the ability to let the music breathe. His approach to the trio is rooted in carefully studied influences, earning him third place at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. Maxime's debut album as a leader is the result of a long-standing creative collaboration with bassist Florent Nisse and drummer Guilhem Flouzat.

Live recording of an exceptional free jazz trio featuring American pianist Angelica Sanchez, Spanish drummer Ramon Lopez and legendary British bassist Barry Guy.

This CD recording is the result of a succession of different moments of musical happiness and the encounter between the solo harpist of the Basel Symphony Orchestra Aurélie Noll, and two exceptional musicians. María Cristina Kiehr (soprano) and Yolena Orea-Sánchez (violonchello) have put their talent and artistic sensitivity at the service of this wonderful repertoire. The special sound of the harp creates a kind of new relief here and lends this unusual album its special charm. The program includes works by Reynaldo Hahn, Tchaikovsky, Manuel de Falla and Gabriel Fauré.

The first recording of another monumental work for piano by the composer of Opus clavicembalisticum and Sequentia cyclica.