Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiki Sanchez.
Kiki, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Lima, Peru. My father was a trumpet player and a music director at Panamericana de Television also known as Channel Five during the 1980s and 1990. My father also worked at Banco Popular del Peru. My mother worked for the Peruvian Health Care System. Now, my parents are happily retired.
At the age of 10, I was in a band boy and the sound guy for my father’s Orchestra. Now, that’s when I fell in love with the piano.
The first instrument that I played was the trumpet. I played the trumpet in my school’s Marching band. The name of my school was Villa Jardin in Lima. It was such a beautiful journey.
My parents encouraged me to follow my dreams and to work hard. They asked Coco Macedo, a well-known Peruvian pianist, who at the time was residing in Puerto Rico but stayed for a long period of time during one of the visits to Lima to tech me. By 11 years old, I started taking piano lessons from Macedo. I remember that we were a group of 10 students in total from different ages and Macedo kindly gave all of free piano lessons. To me, it was an unforgettable experience because we were a group of young music-loving kids.
At 12 years old, I started taking Classical Piano, Music Theory and Sight Singing with Edelmi Madeline Chavez, one of the most important music educators in Peru. The education that I received from Macedo and Chavez allowed me to be able to work and play with several bands in Lima.
I started working with my father Maximo Sanchez and his “Orquesta Majestic” performing at corporate events. I worked with my father briefly and I got the opportunity to play with other popular bands such as Anibal Lopez y La Unica and La Peru Salsa All-Star. This was very exciting for me because both bands had hits on the radio and were performing five days per week.
Politics played a very important role in society and during the 1990s, Peru was facing internal political issues with the terrorist group Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) and that brought chaos and terror to the country. That was the time when I decided to move to America.
I moved to Los Angeles with my uncle salsa singer Willy Cadenas. I lived in LA for six months and destiny brought me to Miami.
I was introduced to Miami’s music scene thanks to Peruvian trumpet player Pedro Izaguirre. He recommended me to perform with several local bands. Thanks to Izaguirre, I started working with all of the important Latin Artist/Musicians in those days such as Israel Lopez “Cachao”, Raul Alfonso from Hansel y Raul, Angel Canales, Sal Cuevas, Eddie Guagua, Miguelito Cruz, Frankie Marcos and Clouds, Conjunto Cristal, Israel Kantor, David Pabon and many others.
Eventually, I changed my music direction and I began performing Latin Jazz/Jazz. This is my favorite music style where I can express myself on freely and happily. I also decided to make some changes in my personal life and music career and decided to pursue a higher education. To this day, this is one of the greater decisions I have ever made. I received my Associate in Arts from Miami Dade College, a Bachelor’s in Jazz Studies and a Master’s Degree in Arts from Florida Atlantic University. Education made a tremendous difference from where I started to where I am at this moment.
The information that I received not only helped me in my music career but also helped in several areas of my life. Also, sharing moments with professors & classmates that were motivated for a better future made a positive impact on my persona. Education opened several doors that are allowing me to build a positive future. As a Music Producer, I have done music productions on several music styles (From Classical Music to Gospel). As an Educator, I am a Faculty member at Miami Dade College, Conservatory Prep at David Posnack JCC and Ayuda/Happy Kids. As a music Therapist at LP Care incorporation. As a music Minister at Ebenezer United Methodist Church. Education allowed me to be part of all these amazing places where I meet the most wonderful people that encourage me to keep learning and move forward in life.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I believe that there is not success without negative situations. Struggles are learning experiences that give the opportunity to growth as a human being. However, it has been a long journey where I had to overcome several obstacles especially at the beginning integrating to a new culture, language, traditions, etc. In addition, the competition in the music industry in Miami was and it is still severe. Also, the period when I was going to school was difficult because I was doing gigs until 3 am and had to be in class the next day at 8 am. Or arriving home after a short tour and go straight to school to do a presentation or final. Finally, I learned that keeping a positive attitude helps to overcome any situation and circumstances.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I am known as a Latin Jazz/Jazz Artist but I consider myself to be a Producer. This is what I enjoy the most – creating, being innovate, combining and incorporating new sounds to this art form called music and this is what sets me apart from others. I am very proud of my production company KikiSanchezMusic because every single project we have done has been broadcast on the radio and television. This makes me incredibly proud and happy!
Furthermore, in my humble opinion, I have the greatest musicians, technicians and business individuals in the world working with me such as Daniel Berroa (Percussion), Hugo Bravo (Afro-Peruvian Percussion), Reinier Guerra Drums, Rafael Valencia (Bass), Franco Jimenez (Trombone), Peter Francis (Trumpet), Julian Cifuentes (Trumpet & Sound Engineer), Edilio Bermudez (Strings), Gio Beta, Maria Broom, Charmaine Sandford (Background Vocals), Adrian Calmet Ladines (Video Editor), Juan Carlos Castillo (Video Director), Patty Vargas (Recording Label and Business Partner), Kimberly Chmura (Booking Agent), Angela Shlyakhov (Business Partner) and Juan Carlos Barguil (Publishing and Licensing). They are the ones that make KikiSanchezMusic a serious and prestigious music production company.
In addition, I have a Cigar business, KikiSanchezCigars in partnership with my Mason brother Patrick Glover. Together we are doing an amazing job running that business; we have the best cigars on the market and I am very proud of it.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I have had several amazing experiences in my life but one of the most memorable was when the late Larry Rose introduced me as one of the most unique contemporary Jazz/Latin Jazz Artists during an event. I keep this beautiful memory very close to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kikisanchez.com
- Phone: 213-290-4627
- Email: info@kikisanchez.com
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