The youngest of eleven children, Poncho Sanchez was born in Laredo, the seat of Webb County, Texas. He was reared in Norwalk, California. Growing up, Sanchez was exposed to and influenced by two very different styles of music: Afro-Cuban music (mambo, son, cha-cha, rumba, guaracha, salsa) by greats such as Tito Puente, and bebop jazz, including the works of Charlie Parker. Originally a guitarist, he discovered his talent for singing during an audition for an R&B band that rehearsed across the street from where he lived, becoming the lead vocalist of the group. Sanchez would later go on to teach himself the flute, drums, and timbales before finally deciding to pursue conga-playing in high school.
In 1975, at age 23, Sanchez's idol, vibraphonist Cal Tjader, invited him to perform one set with his band. Seeing the young man's talent, Tjader hired Sanchez for a week before officially making him a full member of the ensemble. Sanchez played a crucial role as conguero for several years until Tjader's death in 1982.
Before he died, Tjader suggested that Concord Records founder Carl Jefferson sign Sanchez and his soon-to-be-formed group under the Concord Picante label. Tjader's wishes were honored, and the first two records were composed and arranged by long-time Tjader collaborator Clare Fischer.
Poncho Sanchez went on to produce 19 albums for the label, eventually garnering a Grammy for his work. Currently, Sanchez is respected as one of the top American percussionists of our time. He performs frequently in venues varying in size from concert halls to local jazz festivals. His 2005 CD, Do It!, features funk icon Tower of Power on two tracks as well as South African funk master Hugh Masakela.
Morning
Poncho Sanchez Lyrics
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That brings a day so gently
And bathes the leaves
Of memories
That fell so long ago
I still recall you
In all these early hours
Once more to share
A love lost long ago
Crassness of youth
Concluding only half of the truth
Exuding only one small percent
Of what I surely felt for you
And then one morning
That brought a day so gently
We set apart
Things of the heart
And lost love long ago
The song "Morning" by Poncho Sanchez is a reflective piece about lost love and the memories that come to mind during the morning. The soft and soothing melody matches the lyrics, as the singer reminisces about a past love that still lingers in their thoughts, despite how long ago it was.
The singer describes the morning as bringing the day gently, which they also compare to the gentle bath of memories. These memories are of a love that is described as lost long ago, yet it still persists in their mind even during the early hours of the day. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes how the memory of this past love has endured over time.
The second verse describes the crassness of youth and how it prevented the singer from fully experiencing and expressing their feelings. The line "concluding only half of the truth, exuding only one small percent of what I surely felt for you" suggests that the singer didn't fully express their love for this person when they had the chance. The final verse returns to the present, where both parties have gone their separate ways, and "set apart things of the heart and lost love long ago." This line implies that the singer has come to terms with the loss of this love and has moved on with their life.
Overall, "Morning" is a poignant song that captures the bittersweet memories of a past love.
Line by Line Meaning
What of a morning
Reflecting on the nature of a particular morning
That brings a day so gently
The morning that arrives peacefully, promising a good day
And bathes the leaves
The morning sun that touches the leaves with softness
Of memories
Personal moments from the past that are reminiscent
That fell so long ago
Memories from the distant past, that nonetheless linger on
I still recall you
Amidst the present, I remember you fondly
In all these early hours
During the early hours of the day, is when I recollect you the most
Though I were there
If I could return to that time once more
Once more to share
To share once again our memory of each other
A love lost long ago
The love that we shared which time has eroded, is now but a memory
Crassness of youth
The folly that comes along with the naivete of youth
Concluding only half of the truth
The immaturity of the past that only showed half of what was true
Exuding only one small percent
The small fraction of what I truly felt, only partially conveyed
Of what I surely felt for you
The love I had for you in my heart that I could not fully express
And then one morning
At that momentous morning
That brought a day so gently
Which ushered in a peaceful and gentle day
We set apart
We agreed to part ways
Things of the heart
Our emotions and love for each other
And lost love long ago
And the love that has been gone for so many years
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Clare Fischer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Salsero
En la época de oro de las grandes orquestas del JAZZ, cuando el género impactaba a nivel mundial, había un puertorriqueño dejando huellas realmente impresionantes en la Historia del Jazz, JUAN TIZOL (Martínez, apellido materno).
Un día como mañana, (hace 120 años) nació en Vega Baja, en una familia de músicos de la que no solamente heredó el talento, sino que se preocuparon por cultivarlo a través del estudio. Su maestro fue su tío Manuel Tizol Márquez, que era un director de orquestas municipales muy admirado y respetado.
A los 20 años se traslada a Washington con un contrato como músico y ya a los 29 era miembro destacado de la orquesta de la leyenda del Jazz, DUKE ELLINGTON, con quien trabajó unos 15 años. Compartió de tú a tú, el escenario con los gigantes del JAZZ.
Aprendió a componer, transcribir la música y tocar el trombón (de pistones) en VEGA BAJA y esa semilla, germinó. Es muy común leer en sus biografías: Juan Tizol es “uno de los mayores exponentes del jazz de EE.UU. y a nivel mundial”. (¿como? ¿que un boricua es uno de los mayores qué?)
Todas sus biografías impresionan, pero hay una publicada hace unos años por el Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, de la que compartiremos con ustedes algunos fragmentos para que tengan una LEVE idea de los quilate de este vegabajeño:
__ “En EE.UU. es mejor conocido como el “Rey de Exótico” ya que recibe crédito como GENIO de este género. El género se llama “exótico” porque traslada al oyente a lugares lejanos, míticos y místicos, como el Oriente o el Oriente Medio” (que TIZOL es conocido en EE.UU. ... ¿como rey de qué?
__ “En el mundo del jazz, la COMPOSICIÓN MADRE de este género es CARAVAN , la cual fue grabada por primera vez en 1936” (¿que la composición que hizo TIZOL es qué en el mundo del JAZZ?)
__ “Juan Tizol también se destaca en el género que hoy se conoce como el jazz latino o Latin Jazz”. (El crítico de música) “George Kanzler lo describe como el “progenitor” de este género” (que para este famoso crítico, ¿TIZOL es el Padre de qué?)
__ “Según Hill Friewald, Juan Tizol se conoce como el progenitor del jazz latino porque fue el primero en mezclar el jazz con lo latino de una manera sistemática y consistente, en un ambiente moderno con arreglos para orquestas grandes o big bands”. ¿que TIZOL fue el primero en mezclar qué?)
__ “En años siguientes, la popularidad de éstas y otras composiciones es lo que ayudó a conocer a Juan Tizol como ícono del jazz latino” (¿dicen que TIZOL es un ÍCONO?)
__ “Su mejor número en este género (titulado) PERDIDO, que junto a CARAVAN se consideran como un American Standard de la música norteamericana” (¿que las composiciones de TIZOL se consideran qué?)
__ “Con la orquesta del legendario director Nelson Riddle, TIZOL también tuvo oportunidades como solista cuando esta banda acompañó a Nat King Cole y a Frank Sinatra” ... ¿que TIZOL acompañó a quienes?
EN LA HISTORIA DE LA ÉPOCA DE ORO DEL JAZZ ... PUERTO RICO ¡PRESENTE!
¡perdona el lucimiento!
Oscar Alvarado
Que música tan exquisita., solamente para personas que saben del buen gusto. Saludos desde El Salvador.
miguel cabrera
Oscar Alvarado Oscar esa música es Cuban Jazz !
Alma Martinez
La orquesta de Poncho Sánchez un lujo del jazz latino que mi hermano Mario que en el cielo esté, me compartió.😀
Álvaro Cruz
En Paz descansa Mario te dejó una Bendición al alma Dios te bendiga 🙏.
Giovanna Magliaretta
No me canso de escuchar esta versión de esta melodía de Clare Fisher. Bravo! Poncho Sánchez.
Angel Llanos
La versión de Tito Puente también es para apreciarla ..................
TonyLaspina
Poncho es tan bueno y humilde..que siempre nombra a Cal Tjader y a Clare Fischer..debutó en grupo de Cal donde Clare era su tecladista..
agustin ramirez
A mi me toco ver a poncho con cal tjader en monterrey mexico alla por el año de 1976 aproximadamente, yo era un estudiante de musica. Desde entonces sigo a poncho sanchez. Me parece recordar que es originario de Laredo Texas.
Lito Vargas 🎷
Sin llegar a la soberbia estoy de acuerdo con el salvadoreño Oscar Alvarado, música para exquisitos!! Desde Argentina inmenso abrazo a toda Latinoamérica!!!!
Roberto Diaz
Un extraordinario tema de Latin jazz interpretado por la Orchestra de Poncho Sánchez