Poncho Sanchez's Latin jazz live

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College continues its 2009-2010 World Stages series with the internationally acclaimed Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, March 20, at 8 p.m.

Widely acknowledged as the most popular Latin jazz artist in the world today, Grammy Award-winner Sanchez brings his explosive congas and legendary ensemble to Brooklyn for a night of Afro-Cuban jazz, salsa, and vintage Latin soul, including tracks from his most recent release, “Psychedelic Blues.”

Following the performance, Sanchez will be honored with Brooklyn Center’s Cultural Leadership Award at the “Fiesta Caliente” gala benefit on the stage of the Walt Whitman Theatre. The intimate, ticketed post-performance celebration will feature specialty mojitos and Cuban culinary delights. All proceeds from the gala go towards supporting Brooklyn Center’s arts education, dance, theater and music programs.

The Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band features Poncho Sanchez (congas), David Torres (piano and musical director), George Ortiz (timbales), Joey De León (bongos & percussion), Tony Banda (bass), Javier Vergara (saxophones and flute), Ron Blake (trumpet & flugelhorn), Francisco Torres (trombone) and Larry Sanchez (sound engineer).

Tickets are $35 and $25; Gala tickets are $150 (performance only) and $250 (performance plus Fiesta Caliente).

The next day, Israeli singer/songwriter David Broza takes to the stage at 2 p.m. as part of the World Stages series.

Since the mid 1970s, Broza has been steadily gaining international recognition as a world music performer. A superstar in his homeland of Israel, this multi-platinum selling artist’s unique style blends Middle Eastern pop and folk influences with flamenco and American country, rock and blues to create a true world music sound.

His songs, performed in English, Spanish, and Hebrew, feature lyrics borrowed from the world’s greatest poets, tying him closely to the tradition of the troubadours.

Broza is well known for his commitment and dedication to several humanitarian causes, predominantly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The show is in the Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College. Tickets are $25; visit http://www.brooklyncenteronline.org/ or call 718-951-4500.