In a unique opportunity, drummers, fans, and others were able to spend some time with famed jazz drummer Antonio Sánchez on Wednesday afternoon.
The First Ontario Performing Arts Centre welcomed the motivated group to Patridge Hall to take in the sound check followed by a question and answer period with Sánchez.
Later that evening he accompanied a presentation of the movie Birdman. Sánchez created the Grammy winning and Golden Globe nominated original score to the movie and has been performing along with it live at select locations. Each performance is unique as much of it is entirely improvised.
Birdman won four Academy awards, including best picture and best director.
In addition to the Grammy win and Golden Globe nomination Sánchez' score won the Hollywood Music in Media Award, the Satellite Award for Best Original Score, the Critic’s Choice Award for Best Composer, Venice Film Festival Scores Award for Best Original Score, along with a dozen other awards and nominations.
Sánchez is a renowned jazz musician, most notably as a drummer for the iconic Pat Methany band.
After a brief sound check, Sanchez spent some intimate time with the small audience describing his process in creating the score as well as sharing his journey from his childhood in Mexico City to the international stage.
Fittingly, it was when he heard Pat Methany's 'Last Train Home,' that inspired Sánchez to migrate from his rock background into jazz.
Pumped up through fan worship, the drummer who was originally grounded in rock and roll, recounted how attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music bought him back to earth and paved the way for his growth and success. He also shared some gear and technique secrets with the local drummers who attended.
