Born in 1983 in San José del Valle, Cádiz, Juan Sánchez's early exposure to music and the arts, largely influenced by his father, also named Juan Sánchez, an artist and musician, set the stage for his future career. He began learning basic piano chords at the age of five and took up the clarinet in the local band at six. His formal training continued at the Conservatorio Elemental de Música de Arcos de la Frontera and the Real Conservatorio Profesional de Música Manuel de Falla in Cádiz, specializing in piano. Throughout his musical journey, he has explored a variety of styles as a performer, arranger, and composer.
Sánchez enhanced his skills in electronic music production and deejaying through a course titled “El DJ y sus facetas,” organized by Fronterasur in Cádiz. While balancing his studies and performances, he released numerous electronic tracks on both physical (CD) and digital platforms such as iTunes, Spotify, Last.fm, and Bandcamp, including the iconic electronic piece “Sacrifician” under the alias zAnXe.
In his youth, he formed a hip-hop group called “H3” with Alberto Bazán “Pol” and Antonio García “Volt,” for which he produced instrumental tracks and wrote lyrics. In 2003, he participated in the renowned “Música moderna y jazz” course in La Zubia, Granada, where he received instruction from notable musicians including Jacinto Benavente, Daría Moreno, Pancho Brañas, Celia Mur, and Paul Stoker. This experience led him to establish the jazz trio “Smoke Jazz” with Alberto Bazán and Josémari Fernández.
At the age of 18, after mastering the clarinet, saxophone, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion, he took over as conductor of the municipal youth band in San José del Valle from his father. With over 100 original compositions across various genres, he is particularly known for his works in cofrade music, including “Cristo del amor del Valle” and “Esperanza del Valle,” both dedicated to his brotherhood.
In 2005, he obtained a Master's degree in Conducting under Francisco Javier Gutiérrez Juan. During this program, he performed with his youth band at the Basilica de San Bernardo in Seville and participated in the grand parade at the “I Congreso Nacional de Bandas Ciudad de Sevilla,” where they received positive reviews for their performance of “Esperanza del Valle.”
Sánchez also created the pop-rock group “La Warida,” composing and writing over ten songs for vocalist Marina Cayetana del Río, a participant in “Operación Triunfo.” The group remains active, now performing pop-swing versions of those songs with Gabriel Román, Curro Medinilla on saxophone, and Francisco de Asís Fernández on drums.
He serves as both the pianist and saxophonist for the pop-rock cover band “Kanhaya,” alongside Ernesto Rodríguez on vocals, Juan Salvador Cantizano on Spanish guitar, Gabriel Román on electric guitar, Manuel Barrera on bass, Dani Rebollo on percussion, and Ismael Colón on drums.
In 2008, Sánchez was appointed director of the municipal music school in San José del Valle, where he continues to lead summer concerts, activities, and the traditional Christmas Musical Day, which has now been celebrated for over 20 years.
In April 2009, he released his first solo piano album, “Contraste,” at the “Iglesia Vieja” auditorium in his hometown, featuring collaborations with Alex Rey (clarinet), Manuel Barrera (bass), and Josemari Fernández (drums). The album consists of ten tracks spanning various styles, including Andalusian, Latin, romantic, and jazz. He has since performed this album throughout the country, both solo and as part of a trio, accompanied by saxophone or bass and drums.
Later in 2009, he secured a top position at the Conservatorio Profesional “Manuel del Castillo” to study tuba, allowing him to expand his teaching at the music school and enhance his band.
In November 2013, he participated in a composition masterclass with Oscar Navarro, leading him to create a new band work titled “Hic sum,” which has received positive feedback and is being adopted by other bands.
Sánchez has also accompanied singer Antonio Aras (Canal Fiesta Radio) on tour, as well as working with Antonio Luís Clavijo, for whom he plays, writes, and composes. Most recently, he has joined the well-known folk group “Las Carlotas” from Sanlúcar de Barrameda as their new keyboardist.
In August 2016, he took part in the X Encuentro Internacional de Directores de Orquesta, Banda y Coro at the Navarro Lara school, where he received an invaluable conducting masterclass alongside 132 peers from various countries, enriching his cultural and musical knowledge.
In 2017, he composed two marches for cornets and band, “60 Aniversario” and “¡Viva María Auxiliadora!” to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the music band he directs in his hometown. His latest processional work, “José de Nazaret,” dedicated to the patron Saint Joseph, premiered in March 2019 with his band UMVJSG under his direction. Currently, he is also composing soundtracks for various projects, including short films, series, and video games at a national level, with titles such as “Aurora” and “Proyecto verdad,” among others.
