Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnny Sandoval
Hi Johnny, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started playing with my uncles Joe, Tony, George, and Juke Sanchez. We played in the most famous dance halls in Miami. Miami, AZ was our headquarters.
Our family moved from Miami to Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa, AZ.
There are many fine teachers and artist in AZ that I was fortunate to learn from and play with.
Next stop was Musicians Institute in Hollywood California at 18 years old.
Alone in Hollywood with enormous and incredible musicians and teachers.
Discovering the LA music scene is beyond imaginable. To play with so many talented musicians and recording artists is a dream come true.
I moved from Arizona to LA with the great keyboardist Joey Navarro. He and I have done some world tours with Sister Sledge and jazz tours in Istanbul, Turkey.
Joey and I made the auditions with trumpet artist Greg Adams! Greg arranged music for the band “Tower of Power”. There were so many incredible artists that performed with us weekly that became great friends and colleagues for ever. Brandon Fields, Lee Thornburg, Keith Jones, Tal Bergman, Herman Mathews, Phil Perry, Lenny Williams, Denise Williams, and everyone who hung with that incredible band East Bay Soul.
I will never forget recording an entire album with Ry Cooder and drummer Jim Keltner. This experience changed my life and playing perspective. To learn what I learned on that session can’t be explained or taught.
I love playing concert arena gigs with bands from my child hood days like One Way, Heatwave, Dazz Band, GQ, Malo, Tierra, and many other “Ole School” groups.
One of my favorite gigs is playing Theatre Flamenco gigs! There is so much energy in working with dedicated dancers, singers, and flamenco guitarist.
In between gigs I began to perform at special events with West Coast Music.
I’ve been fortunate to play with Reba McEntire, Smokey Robinson, Peter Cetera, David Foster and Katherine McPhee, Baby Face, and many more talented artists.
Everything I do leads to my album called Johnny Sandoval @conga and Christmas Album Skin and Bones Christmas.
My friend the amazing arranger and Trombone player Jim McMillen asked me if he could loop some percussion tracks. We then made a deal that allowed me to produce my album @conga and him to produce Skin and Bones Christmas.
Together we decided to create music how ever we saw fit with no limits or categories in mind. Jim and I try to make masterpieces with our given surroundings and have a total blast creating music with our friends!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A dream come true usually requires a struggle. We call it the wonderful struggle or living the dream. Trying to be at the top level to compete is fun but stressful. Once we can play then it becomes all about finding where we can hang socially, economically, and politically. An amazing guitarist Joey Trujillo who was our music director with Sister Sledge told me “as long as our worst is good enough”. One of many lessons I take from that advice is to not get hung up on how good I think I am or how good other people think I am. We play our best for the people! There is only one friend that can remove all obstacles and challenges. My Drummer!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work has developed into many different aspects of one simple thing.
To simply share my gifts and experiences while trying to improve the quality of life for others.
I’m known for having a deep groove with metronome timing while creating and collaborating with different soulful styles and artists. I try to provide a smooth and dynamic feel while respecting the authenticity of music.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
A big thank you to all of our supportive readers. To be an Artist requires encouragement and positive energy. My parents, family, and friends have provided the love and encouragement needed to find Gods path full of gifts to help others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/congaband?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
- Instagram: Johnnysandovalpercussion
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/congaband?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
- Twitter: Conga
- Youtube: Johnny Sandoval @jspercussion
