Grammy Winning Saxophonist Sánchez Will Perform March 1 with U of M Jazz Orchestra

For release: February 15, 2008
For press information, contact Simone Notter Wilson

David Sánchez

Sánchez will also hold a master class at Harris Concert Hall at 1 p.m. on March 1. The master class is free and open to the public.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Sánchez started playing percussion and drums at age eight and took up the tenor saxophone four years later. His influences were Afro-Caribbean and Danza, but also European and Latin classical. He attended La Escuela Libre de Música in San Juan, which focused on formal musical studies. When his sister brought home several jazz records, including recordings of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and Dexter Gordon, Sánchez was mesmerized by the music and became interested in jazz.

In 1986 Sánchez enrolled at the Universidad de Puerto Rico in Rio Píedras with the intention to pursue a degree in psychology. However the temptation to move to New York City was irresistible, and by 1988, Sánchez had won a music scholarship to Rutgers University in New Jersey. Because of Rutgers' close proximity to New York City, Sánchez quickly became a member of New York's jazz scene. He played with pianist Eddie Palmieri and trumpeter Claudio Roditi, among others, and joined Dizzy Gillespie's “Live the Future" tour, featuring Miriam Makeba, in 1991. Gillespie became one of Sánchez big mentors and influences.

For more information on Jazz Week, visit our Jazz Week 2008 Calendar of Events or call 678-5400.