Percussionist Gets Down to His Roots This Time

In the ‘90s, musical labels may no longer be relevant. Take percussionist Poncho Sanchez, whose music is sometimes classified as salsa. While he loves the genre and includes several salsa numbers in his repertoire, Sanchez is also well versed in be-bop, blues and Afro-Cuban rhythms, and uses all of these elements in his music.

Now Sanchez, who plays the Bacchanal in San Diego on Friday and Iguanas in Tijuana on Saturday, has another surprise in store. His new album, due in February, is titled “Chile con Soul,” yet another in his surprising string of hybrid sounds.

As a teen-ager, Sanchez, now 38, emulated James Brown and Wilson Pickett and a variety of blues and R & B bands. The new album recognizes these roots, as Sanchez occasionally does on stage.

Now and then he slides away from his congas to throw in a few “Godfather of Soul” moves. The new album includes one of Brown’s tunes, but it isn’t all soul. It also includes guest appearances on two songs by percussionist Tito Puente, one of Sanchez’s role models.

Sanchez has the extensive musical background and diverse talents required of a successful band leader. While growing up in a family of 11 children in Norwalk near Los Angeles, he danced to salsa with his six sisters.

He counts Cuban conga man and bandleader Mongo Santamaria and vibraphonist Cal Tjader as primary influences.

“I was with Cal 7 1/2 years, until his death in Manila in 1982.” Tjader had a heart condition, and passed away while the band was on tour. “That was rough, because I really looked up to him. But I had started my own band, and that’s what pulled me out of the depression.”

Though Sanchez concentrates on congas, he also plays timbales and many other percussion instruments. And he has eclectic taste: A typical set might put a Latin-ized Thelonious Monk tune next to Sanchez’s interpretation of an obscure Latin ballad, followed by a couple of the band’s originals.

For the most part, Sanchez is backed by longtime associates. Timbales player Ramon Banda has been in the group since its beginnings 10 years ago, as has his brother Tony, who handles bass and vocals. The band’s newest member is pianist David Torres, who replaced band veteran and frequent composer Charlie Otwell two months ago.

Both the Bacchanal and Iguanas have dance floors, so the settings are perfect for those with an urge to move and groove.

One of the best live jazz performances last year was the spicy, emotional set at the San Diego City College Theater by bass clarinet and flute player Turiya and her Immediate Freedom Band. For the performance last October, Turiya composed an original suite called “The Shaman’s Song,” based on the idea that musicians can be our spiritual guides.

This weekend, Turiya and the band are live again, this time with a lineup that includes several songs by the band’s pianist, Joe Garrison. They’ll do shows at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Centro Cultural de la Raza in Balboa Park’s Pepper Grove.

What’s so enticing about the band’s music is the way esoteric musical ideas are layered over tangy Latin and Afro-Cuban beats known to get even the stodgiest of accountants on the dance floor. Garrison’s experience with Latin music shows why salsa and other danceable, tropical music is becoming so popular in the United States, both with pop fans and hard-core jazz lovers.

“When I got into Latin jazz with Turiya’s band, I found that Latin jazz has it all,” said Garrison, whose academic background is in theory and avant-garde music. “When I went to hear Eddie Palmieri last year, it really opened my eyes, because I saw all levels of listeners loving that music. It shook me right to my roots. It was mental, emotional and physical; it had it all.”

Besides the mix of intelligence and emotion, Garrison likes the music because of its optimistic mood. Generally, experimental music can leave an audience with a feeling of gloom and doom. With the Immediate Freedom Band, Garrison can try out progressive musical ideas, while even a naive listener will enjoy the beat.

Garrison has written several tunes for the band. He and Turiya agree that the ensemble is, for them, a sort of family, and the musicians’ respect for each other and reverence for the music comes across in the concentrated emotion of the playing.

Some of Garrison’s songs feature the band’s vocalist, Sylvia Aguilera, who has diligently honed her voice and percussion work into essential tools. As an instrument, her voice is capable of the kinds of primal sounds that make singers like Flora Purim and Ursula Dudziak so intriguing.

As you might expect of someone with theoretical background, Garrison doesn’t write easy music. The band is still mastering some of his new work, so only a few songs will be ready for this weekend. But if they come close to the band’s usual high standards, these shows should be inspiring.

RIFFS: The migration continues: Following on the heels of Barney Kessel, Mundell Lowe and James Moody, all new to San Diego, pianist Kenny Barron and guitarist Joe Pass, perhaps enticed during their annual visits to Elario’s in La Jolla, are said to be considering a move. . . . Mark Lessman, whose new CD is now in stores, puts his band through its paces Friday and Saturday nights at the B Street Cafe in downtown San Diego. . . . Next Wednesday, Hollis Gentry and Neon appear at the Catamaran Resort Hotel’s “Jazz Trax Nite”. . . . This Friday, Mike Wofford plays solo piano at the Beach House restaurant in Mission Beach.