Congo star Poncho Sanchez is a musical specialist who tries not to get tied down.
He is best known for creating irresistible Afro-Cuban jazz, but offers other material, as well, in shows such as the one here Friday. They are filled with his love of rhythm and blues, and the music of stars from John Coltrane to Hugh Masakela.
He says it helps him avoid one of the curses of musical fame.
"They say: Be careful about the song you become famous for," he says with a chuckle. "You'll be playing it for the rest of your life."
So, while the concert in the North Side will be centered mostly on his new album exploring the Afro-Cuban music of Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo, he is sure there will be other material, as well.
"I can never do a show without playing 'Watermelon Man' or one of the Eddie Harris hits like 'Cold Duck Time' or 'Listen Here'," he says.
It all makes sense. While he has been leading his band for 31 years, Sanchez's career is filled with variety. He performed with vibes master Cal Tjader, the soul band Tower of Power, and South African flugelhornist Masakela.
Sanchez says a broad musical outlook almost is guaranteed if you add that work to the rock, folk and soul that surrounded him as he was growing up in Los Angeles in the '60s.
"It is the way I am, the way I think, the way I work," he says.
He looks at mixing those sounds as only natural.
"It is a product of America," he says.
Sanchez, 60, says his love of that variety of music was at the genesis of the new album, "Dizzy y Chano." He says he has a hefty collection of musical items in one of the rooms in his home -- "it's like a museum," he says -- and his agent was caught up by his items on Dizzy Gillespie.
The agent suggested doing an album of Gillespie's Afro-Cuban material, a sound he popularized with the help of percussionist Pozo.
Then, they began thinking of possibly inviting a guest "to play the part of Dizzy, in the way I was going to be Chano," Sanchez says.
That led to the work with trumpeter Terence Blanchard.
"Terence knows that stuff, and, man, he liked that idea," he says. "I gave him a call and as soon as I mentioned doing a show of Dizzy's music, he was right there."
Blanchard has done appearances doing this music with Sanchez and his band, but will not be here for this one. The band's regular trumpeter, Ron Blake, will take care of that issue, Sanchez says.
"We can do this set with or without Terence," he says.
Read more: Poncho Sanchez jazzes up his love for rhythm and blues - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/music/s_766418.html#ixzz1dHXx0q30
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