Percussionist to launch Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing series.By Chris Cooke
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-911345.mp3
Click on the link to listen to Chris' interview with Poncho Sanchez.
Chris Cooke/KIOS
Omaha, Nebraska – A legendary latin jazz percussionist performs in Omaha Thursday to kick off the rebirth of a treasured jazz series.
The Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band kicks off the inaugural season of Omaha Performing Arts Presents Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing. The concert series which has presented a stellar lineup of musicians for summer audiences in downtown Omaha, has now been reborn at a new venue, Turner Park at Midtown Crossing, 31st and Dodge Streets.
The inaugural concert in the new series & new location will take place 7:00pm on Thursday, July 8th. Omaha audiences can anticipate an exciting night of latin jazz.
One of the top percussionists in jazz music, Sanchez is a veteran bandleader & percussionist who first came to prominence while performing with Cal Tjader's band. Crediting influences as diverse as Sam Cooke, James Brown & Art Blakey, Sanchez and his band create an intoxicating, pulsating latin jazz which fuses soul, bop, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and salsa into a irresistible danceable mix. Omaha audiences have twice previously enjoyed evenings with the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, in 2005 at the Omaha Summer Arts Festival, and in 2008 at the Holland Performing Arts Center.
The Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band will perform at 7:00pm July 8th at Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing. The concert is open to the public. For more information you may visit jazzonthegreenomaha.com . Listen to an interview with Poncho Sanchez by clicking on the audio link at the top of this article. I caught up with Poncho Sanchez via phone in the last few weeks and he spoke at length about his music, his inspirations, and the music he has in store for Thursday's concert.
Chris Cooke is the host of Jazz on the Afternoon Tuesdays and Thursdays on KIOS-FM.