[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 65 (Friday, April 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        HONORING PONCHO SANCHEZ

                                 ______


                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, April 6, 1995
  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate one of the greatest jazz musicians in America, Poncho 
Sanchez. To recognize the accomplishments of Mr. Sanchez within the 
music industry, the city of Washington DC has proclaimed April 19 as 
``Poncho Sanchez Day.''
  Mr. Poncho Sanchez is a self-taught musician who has dedicated his 
life to the cultivation of the Latin jazz genre. He is considered one 
of the most prominent conga players and percussionists in America 
today.
  Beginning his musical career in 1975 as a member of the Cal Tjader 
band, he toured and recorded with the band until Tjader's death. During 
that stage of his career he had the honor of sharing with Tjader, a 
friend who was also a mentor, one Grammy award for the album ``La Onda 
Va Bein.'' Mr. Sanchez not only has enjoyed the opportunity to perform 
with the Cal Tjader band, he also has had the pleasure to performing 
and recording with other jazz stars, including Carmen McRae, Clare 
Fischer, and Woody Herman.
  In 1982 Poncho Sanchez began his solo career with the album 
``Sonando'' which helped reaffirm his place in the jazz world. His more 
recent achievement have included performing with Tito Puente, who 
played with Sanchez's band at the Playboy Jazz Festival and who appears 
in the album ``Chile con Soul,'' as well as receiving three Grammy 
nominations. The unique style he has developed, blending powerful Latin 
music with lyrical jass notes, places him in a category all his own.
  Mr. Speaker, Poncho Sanchez is an exceptional artist whom I am 
honored to recognize. His contribution to Latin music is a sample of 
the richness of the Latin community. Again, I would like to send my 
sincerest congratulations to Mr. Sanchez for this deserved recognition.


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