Gelito Sanchez at the Night Life Night Club – 1970s

 

Cerebro - Gelito Sanchez

In a recent thread, I briefly described the mood of the Tropical Magic Night Club on Fullerton Avenue back in the 70s. Now I would like to take you a little west to a smaller neighborhood club called, “The Night Life Night Club.” As I said before, salsa clubs were popular back then and this one was no different. The Night Life Club was located on North Avenue near Tripp in one of the most violent areas in the city at the time. When you entered the club the first thing you noticed was that you were almost entirely in the dark. The only areas with artificial lighting were the bar area and the stage. Other than that, the only lighting was supplied by candles that were at the center of each red clothed table. The mirrored disco ball at the center of the dance floor was the only exception. The reflection of light from the tiny mirrors of the disco ball made its way through the smoke filled room while slowly spinning around the club giving you the feeling of continuous motion. I recall that every weekend we would ask what club had which band and decide where to go for the night. At the Night Life, you knew that “Sanchez” was playing there. “Sanchez,” whose real name is Gelito Sanchez, was the leader of a group he formed called, “Sus Mejores.” The owner of the club, who would occasionally hire trios and conjuntos for the more tipical music, took a liking to Sanchez and tapped him to run the house band. Sanchez quickly put a group together whose members consisted of vocalist Angel Perez, Julio Ortiz and Bob Stockwell on trumpets, Aniel Lugo on bass, Hector Rivera – better known as “Tato” on congas and Mickey Rivera on timbales. Gelito Sanchez played acoustic guitar with a pickup attached. Gelito Sanchez was a throwback to the conjunto days when every house party or local dance had a conjunto comprised entirely of guitars playing guarachas and merengues. Sanchez was loyal and steady. He held that gig for the longest time playing mostly “rutina.” During their tenure there the owner of the Night Life produced a record album featuring the group entitled, “Cerebro – Gelito Sanchez Y Sus Mejores.” I attached a little of one of the songs you would hear them play. Take a listen and see if you remember it.