ABOUT ANTONIO
Born in Mexico City, 4-time Grammy Award winner Antonio Sánchez began playing the drums at age five and performed professionally in his early teens in Mexico’s rock, jazz and latin scenes.
He pursued a degree in classical piano at the National Conservatory in Mexico and in 1993 enrolled in Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in Jazz Studies.
Since moving to New York City in 1999, Antonio has become one of the most sought-after drummers in the international jazz scene. Following 18 years and 9 albums as one of the most revered collaborators with guitarist/composer Pat Metheny, he also has recorded and performed with many other most prominent artists like Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Michael Brecker, Charlie Haden and Toots Thielmans.
In 2014 Sanchez’s popularity soared when he scored Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) which ended up fetching 4 Academy awards (including best picture) and for which Antonio won a Grammy award. Additional film/tv projects include EPIX network's Get Shorty and Hippopotamus among others.
With more than a dozen recordings as a leader or co-leader, Sánchez's recent projects include the acclaimed epic The Meridian Suite and the star studded Three Times Three. He turned his upset over social injustice into a tribute to every immigrant’s journey in his epic musical statement Lines in the Sand.
Sánchez is the recipient of four Grammys, three Echo Awards, Golden Globe & BAFTA nominations and has been thrice named Modern Drummer’s "Jazz Drummer of the Year”. He has been the covers of DownBeat, JazzTimes, JAZZIZ, Modern Drummer, Drum! and Musico Pro — among others.
Sánchez’s new album SHIFT (Bad Hombre Vol. II) on Warner Music features Sánchez playing virtually every instrument on the album — in addition to being its producer. SHIFT features Trent Reznor, Dave Mathews, Kimbra, Ana Tijoux, Meshell Ndegeocello and more..
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““Mr. Sanchez emerged as one of the standout jazz drummers on the contemporary scene, a polyrhythmic ace attuned to the subtlest dynamic fluctuations” ”
PRESS
Modern Drummer Cover Story - The Time to Lead is Now
DownBeat Magazine Cover Story - Antonio Sanchez on Red Carpets, Feeling Small & Life Beyond Birdman
Drumhead Cover Story - Birdman and Beyond
Antonio Sanchez "Three Times Three" - Cam Jazz Review
The New Gary Burton Quartet - Guided Tour
Downbeat Magazine - Article by Ken Micaleff
Antonio Sanchez - "New Life" - Critical Jazz Review
Antonio Sanchez - "New Life" - Something Else Review
Antonio Sanchez - "New Life" - Jam Bands Review
Antonio Sanchez - "New Life" - New York Times Review
Latin Percussion - Antonio Sanchez
Drummer World - Antonio Sanchez
Berklee Today Cover Story - Antonio Sanchez Speaks of Now
“I got together a lot with Antonio wondering if he was the guy. I finally realized that he’d be able to meet the standard for this gig. Very quickly, he took things to another place - a very personal and exciting place for the audience....It is thrilling to get on the bandstand with him every night. You just can’t wait to play with him. ”
ENDORSEMENTS
“Antonio Sanchez is one of the most respected drummers working today. Sanchez transcends genre with the ability to literally play and adapt to any situation with virtually any ensemble.”