Mike Sanchez
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mike Sanchez | |
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 UK Rhythm and Blues Pianist Mike Sanchez on stage
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jesus Miguel Sanchez |
| Born | February 17, 1964  London, England |
| Genre(s) | Rhythm And Blues Rock N' Roll Blues Rockabilly |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals piano guitar |
| Years active | 1983-present |
| Label(s) | Doopin Music |
| Associated acts | The Rockets Big Town Playboys Jeff Beck Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings The Big Six |
| Website | http://www.mikesanchez.co.uk |
Jesus Miguel "Mike" Sanchez (born February 17, 1964, London, England) is a Rhythm and Blues singer, pianist and songwriter of Spanish-English heritage. Sanchez is widely known for his work with the Big Town Playboys and Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, and also for his highly-successful solo career. He is highly-acclaimed for his authenticity to the work of post-war blues shouters and piano players.
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[edit] Early career
Sanchez was born in London and spent the first 11 years of his life residing in the city. His family later moved to the Bewdley, Worcestershire area. As a teenager, Sanchez took up playing the guitar and soon formed a rockabilly trio, The Rockets. Shortly thereafter, Sanchez developed a strong love for 1950s roots music, and also took up playing the piano.
Sanchez was introduced to former Savoy Brown, Steve Gibbons and Chicken Shack, band member Andy Silvester through Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant. This introduction is what lead to the 1984 formation of the Big Town Playboys. Additionally, Procol Harum pianist Gary Brooker, who was a fan of the Big Town Playboys, introduced Sanchez to Amen Corner's Andy Fairweather-Low, along with Eric Clapton (whom the band later opened up for at various shows, including concerts at the Royal Albert Hall). Fairweather-Low was recruited as the band's guitarist.
The Big Town Playboys made a number of recordings, but the most noteworthy has been the collaboration with Jeff Beck, which spawned the release of Crazy Legs (album).
Sanchez and the Big Town Playboys have headlined many a European music festival, and have worked with many noteworthy musicians, such as Jimmy Nelson, Lowell Fulson, Carey Bell, Don and Dewey, Little Willie Littlefield and Joe Hughes.
[edit] Solo career
Sanchez left the Big Town Playboys near Christmas of 1999 due to management issues, and also to pursue a solo career. His first solo album was cut while still with the Big Town Playboys, and was titled, Just A Game. It was released in 1997. In 1998, Sanchez became a member of Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings (replacing pianist Gary Brooker) as band leader. In recent years, Sanchez formed a seven-piece rhythm and blues outfit along with guitarist Andy Silvester, vocalist Imelda May, bassist Al Gare, drummer Mark Morgan (also formerly of the Big Town Playboys), The Harlem Horns (Al Nicholls and Pete Cook), and also with England's Doo Wop vocal group, The Extraordinaires.
In 2003, Sanchez produced and recorded soundtrack material for the film I'll Be There, which starred Charlotte Church and Craig Ferguson.
The noteworthy Blues in Britain magazine named Mike Sanchez as UK Keyboard Player of the Year from 2000-2004.
Sanchez also collaborated with Swedish blues artists, Knockout Greg and Blue Weather. They recorded an album based on authentic jump blues and blues shouters, such as Young Jessie, Roy Brown and Wynonie Harris. The album, along with his release Blue Boy, and 2003 DVD Release Red Hot...LIVE! was released on his own label, Doopin' Records.
Currently, Sanchez is fronting a six-piece outfit known as Mike Sanchez and his Band. The group features former Biscuit Boy bass player Al Gare, Oliver Darling on guitar, former Big Town Playboy Mark Morgan on drums, Martin Winning (Van Morrison) on tenor saxophone and baritone saxophonist Nick Lunt (Jools Holland's Rhythm & Blues Orchestra). He also regularly performs with a four-piece lineup called "The Portions".
In December 2007, he opened up for Led Zeppelin during their noted reunion show at London's O2 arena, alongside his old musical mate Bill Wyman as a part of the Rhythm Kings.
[edit] Discography
- Playboy Boogie, Big Town Playboys (1985 - Making Waves)
- Now Appearing, Big Town Playboys (1990 - Blue Horizon)
- Crazy Legs Big Town Playboys with Jeff Beck (1993 - Epic)
- Hip Joint, Big Town Playboys (1994 - Blue Horizon)
- Ready To Rock, The Big Six (1995 - Vinyl Japan)
- Struttin' Our Stuff, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings (1997 - BMG/RCA)
- Just A Game (1997 - MS-001)
- Off The Clock...Live!, Big Town Playboys (1997 - Eagle)
- Six Pack, Big Town Playboys (1998 -BTP)
- Anyway The Wind Blows, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings (1998 - BMG/RCA)
- On The Road Again, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings (2002 - Ripple Records)
- Just Can't Afford It (2000 - Doopin')
- Blue Boy (2001 - Doopin')
- Women And Cadillacs (2003 - Doopin')
