The 2015-2016 season of Whittier College's popular Inside Latin Jazz series kicked off on a high note with an insightful conversation featuring world-renowned musician Poncho Sanchez. Introducing his guest to a near full-house, Professor of Music Danilo Lozano expressed gratitude and astonishment at how much the intimate series has grown over the years, noting that in its early days, the entire audience fit on stage alongside him and the guest musician.
For nearly two hours, Lozano and Sanchez traded stories on the Latino music scene, their passion for the art form, and the realities of life as a musician. Sanchez shared a candid story that exemplified the duality of his life as musician in the early days of his career. After an appearance on the Merv Griffin Show and a successful tour in Southeast Asia, Sanchez found himself without a job when he returned to Southern California. Working odd jobs to feed his young family and with a second child on the way, Sanchez made the difficult decision to return to his job at a foundry, a position he quit in order to go on tour. His colleagues gave him a hero's welcome when he arrived at the foundry but when he announced that he was there to ask for his job, one coworker led him to the employee lunchroom where friends had filled a wall with news clippings of Sanchez's tour and accomplishments. Sanchez remained at the foundry for several months but soon returned to music and fulfilled his promising career. Sanchez won the GRAMMY for Best Latin Jazz Performance in 1999.
Lozano and Sanchez concluded their conversation with a much-anticipated jam session with Lozano's flute and Sanchez's conga drum that delighted the audience and received a standing ovation.
The next installment of Inside Latin Jazz is scheduled for November 18.
