Albert Sanchez, born on September 17, 1964, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is one of three musician brothers raised in the town of Cataño, alongside Leopoldo (Tito) and Alexander Sanchez. Albert began his musical journey at the young age of 7, when his then 10-year-old brother Alexander, a self-taught musician and Albert’s greatest musical influence, became his first music teacher. Since Alexander needed someone to play duets with, he taught Albert how to play Guitar, Bass, and Percussion. Within just a few months, the Sanchez brothers formed the group “Luz de Borinquen”, a five-member musical ensemble capable of performing native Puerto Rican folk melodies at a professional level. Together, the group toured constantly throughout Puerto Rico, regularly appearing on children’s television shows and proudly representing their hometown of Cataño.

After many years performing as a guitarist with Luz de Borinquen, Albert began to play with several salsa groups on a variety of instruments, including Congas, Bongos, Timbales, Bass, and vocals. He performed alongside renowned artists such as Nacho Sanabria, Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez, and Los Pleneros del Truco, among others. After being accepted into the prestigious “Escuela Libre de Música” in San Juan, PR, he became fascinated with the Saxophone and quickly left percussion behind as he fell in love with the instrument and the challenge of mastering a transposing wind instrument. As a student of La Libre, and later at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Berklee College of Music, and U.S. Army music schools, he had the honor of performing and recording with numerous salsa and merengue artists and groups from Puerto Rico and abroad, including La Lupe, Tito Allen, Latino All Stars, Los Hijos del Merengue, Luisito Carrión, Andy Montañez, Lalo Rodríguez, Michael Stuart, Jerry Rivera, Frankie Vázquez, Willy Torres, Cano Estremera, Tito Puente Jr., Daniela Darcourt, Ray De La Paz, and the Gipsy Kings, among many others. He has also performed Latin jazz and jazz with various ensembles in the United States and abroad, as well as participated in numerous recordings both in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Albert Sanchez served in the United States Army Band Program for over 22 years. During his military career, he fulfilled multiple duties as both a soldier and a musician. He distinguished himself as principal arranger, soloist, first chair, Jazz Combo and Concert Band Director, Stage Band leader, and musician recruiter for bands, among other military commitments. During this time, Albert Sanchez released his first production with his group, “La Clave Latina.” His production “From Down Below” (Desde Abajo) is a compilation of songs originally performed by artists who deepened his love for the Salsa genre, along with new compositions, all rooted in Salsa Dura traditions. The album featured collaborations with salsa greats such as singers Willy Torres, Frankie Vázquez, Ángel Ríos, and his brother Tito Sánchez; percussionists Georgie Padilla, Gamalier Reyes, and Charlie Santiago; trumpet players Manuel “Maneco” Ruiz, Larry Dean, and David López; trombonists José “Bimbo” Cruz and Perci Recavarren; keyboardists Dennis Guevara, Didier Prossaird, and José “Buba” Anaya; and bassists Jimmy Valentín, Peruvian Oscar Huaranga, and Tony Pérez. This debut production was widely acclaimed, including being selected as a semifinalist for the Latin Grammys in 2013.

Today, Albert Sanchez maintains a busy schedule, performing at major events as a soloist, musical director, and member of renowned orchestras both in and outside the United States.