March 28-April 3, 2002

musicpicks

Poncho Sanchez

Jazz

Fads in Latin jazz come and go, but for the past quarter-century Poncho Sanchez has been an unfaltering constant. The Texas-born, California-reared conguero first came to prominence in the Cal Tjader groups of the late-'70s; he recorded his first album as a leader on Concord Picante Records in 1982. In the years since, Sanchez has developed a high-spirited brand of Afro-Cuban jazz that's equally at home in nightclubs, on concert stages, at outdoor festivals and on the streets. His exuberant nonet is not only the sharpest group in Latin jazz; it's among the top-notch ensembles in any style.

Fri., March 29, 8 p.m., $21-$32, Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.

—Nate Chinen

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