Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band at Jazz Alley December 28 2013

Fun show to a full house. He’s been coming to Jazz Alley since 1975. Damn. Perennial favorite indeed. Lots of great players in the current configuration of 8 guys on stage: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, percussion, drums, bass, piano and of course Pancho on the congas. The percussion all blended with a constant rhythmic undertone as different soloists got chances to shine. As did the percussionists, one dude getting in a sweet bongo solo in and then the drummer with a crazy drum solo that was fast, fiery. Closed with two covers, first “Afro Blue” made famous by Coltrane and then “Shotgun” by Junior Walker.