David Sánchez
January 16, 2027 @ 7:30 pm
Grammy Award-winning saxophonist David Sanchez is widely recognized as one of the most distinguished saxophonists of his generation. Renowned for his unmistakable sound and remarkable command of the instrument, Sánchez brings together a deep understanding on jazz and Latin music with the rich traditions that shaped both genres. The result is a distinctive and compelling musical voice.
World-renowned jazz writer and critic Howard Reich has praised Sánchez’s artistry, noting that his “prowess on saxophone is matched by the intellectual depth of his concept and compositions.” Reich has also observed, “Technically, tonally and creatively, he seems to have it all.” Throughout his career, recordings including The Departure (1994), Sketches of Dreams (1995), Obsesión (1998), and Cultural Survival (2008) have demonstrated Sánchez’s ability to blend the language of jazz with the musical traditions of his native Puerto Rico and influences from across the Caribbean and Latin America.
Puerto Rican folkloric traditions are especially prominent throughout Sánchez’s discography. The influence of Bomba and plena can be heard on his debut album, The Departure (1994), and Street Scenes (1996). These traditions are further explored on Obsesión (1998) and Melaza (2000), both produced by acclaimed saxophonist Branford Marsalis, and on Travesía (2001), Sánchez’s first entirely self-produced recording.
— – Howard Reich
