Daily Dose Of Jazz…

David Sanchez was born on September 3, 1968 in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico and from an early age took up the conga when he was eight His earliest influences were Afro-Caribbean, danza, European and Latin classical. By age 12 David began playing the saxophone, attending La Escuela Libre de Musica, which emphasized formal musical studies.

Around the time he turned 14 he heard Miles Davis’ Basic Miles and Billy Holiday’s Lady In Satin. A few years later faced with college he chose Rutgers over Berklee for a better scholarship and nearer to New York City. While at Rutgers he studied with Kenny Baron, Ted Dunbar and John Purcell.

After a period freelancing in New York with many top Latin players including Paquito D’Rivera and Claudio Roditi, Sanchez joined Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nations Orchestra in 1990 and Dizzy became his mentor. With Dizzy’s group he toured 27 countries and 100 U.S. cities in 31 states.

Leaving the United Nation Orchestra, Sanchez continued to play in Dizzy’s trio until Dizzy’s death in 1993. He has toured with the Philip Morris Superband, recorded with Slide Hampton and his Jazz Masters, Roy Hargrove, Kenny Drew Jr., Ryan Kisor, Danilo Perez, Rachel Z and Hilton Ruiz.

The tenor saxophonist is well known as a leader with seven albums under his belt for Columbia Records. He won a Grammy for the “Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album” in 2004 for Coral. David Sanchez continues to compose, record, perform and tour.

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