Bobby
Sanabria
Bobby Sanabria has performed and recorded with a veritable who's who in the world of Jazz and Latin music as well as his own critically acclaimed ensemble Ascensión. His diverse recording and performance experience includes work with such legendary figures as Dizzy Gillespie, Mongo Santamaria, Chico O'Farrill, Paquito D'Rivera, Charles McPherson, Tito
Puente -who raved, "Bobby is a sensational player..."- Michael Gibbs,
Chico Freeman, Luis "Perico Ortiz," Celia Cruz, Henry Threadgill and Mario
Bauzá.
Sanabria previously recorded three Grammy-nominated CDs with pioneer
godfather of Afro-Cuban jazz, Mario Bauzá, which cognoscenti regard as
definitive work of the genre.
Bobby was born and raised
in the "Fort Apache" section of New York City's South Bronx to Puerto
Rican parents. As a musician, he attributes his multi-cultural approach to
the "roots" he has in this community. "I grew up listening, not only to
the music of my Puerto Rican heritage, but also to the great masters of
the Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and jazz traditions, as well as funk, rock, and
Rhythm & Blues.
Inspired and encouraged by Maestro Tito Puente, Bobby attended Boston's
Berklee College of Music from 1975 to 1979, where he received his Bachelor
of Music degree. While at Berklee, he received the prestigious Faculty
Association award for his work as an instrumentalist. Since graduating
from Berklee, Bobby has become a major player in the Afro-Cuban and jazz
fields as both a drummer and a percussionist as well as being recognized
as one of the most articulate scholars of "la tradición."
