Biography

After more than two decades of experience—his first album was released in 2003—dedicated to composing and producing music rooted in American styles (blues, jazz, funk), Mauri Sanchis took a new direction in 2024 to focus on film score composition under a new project called Cinematika.

His first released piece, “Epika,” inspired by films such as Gladiator, Braveheart, and Armageddon, was selected by the City Council of Alcoy as the official music for the promotion of its Moors and Christians Festivities, declared of international tourist interest.

The first cinematic commission came from Argentine director Maxi Velloso for the short film Raúl, beginning a collaboration that would continue with El Reloj and La Presentación.

In Mauri Sanchis’s own words:

“Cinema has shaped my life since I was a child. I started playing synthesizers after watching Chariots of Fire and discovering Vangelis’s music. Then came The Blues Brothers, which led to my connection with African-American music and the Hammond organ. In truth, I’ve always wanted to compose music for films. After so many albums and concerts since 2003, I feel now is the perfect time to give it a shot.”

It was precisely that connection with black music and the Hammond that led him to a distinguished career in the world of jazz and blues, with a wide discography as both leader and sideman. He became the first Spaniard to be an official endorser of brands like Hammond, Moog, Rhodes, or Radial, winning multiple awards, performing at international festivals, and sharing the stage with world-renowned artists.

Far from settling into an established career, with Cinematika, Mauri has sought to expand his sonic language and showcase his versatility as a composer, exploring everything from intimate solo piano ballads to horror music, epic orchestral passages, or pieces evoking classic film noir.

Each piece is its own universe, designed to evoke emotion even without images—but with a clear intent to become part of any visual narrative.

With Cinematika, Mauri Sanchis brings his full experience as a musical storyteller to the world of film, offering a rich, flexible, and deeply personal sonic palette.

“Sanchis is a master of funk”
— Keyboard USA, the world’s leading keyboard magazine

“One of the best organists in Europe, if not the best”
— Alberto Nieto, Director of Jazz San Javier, Spain’s most important jazz festival

“The Rafael Nadal of the Hammond”
— Santi Alcanda, one of Spain’s most renowned music critics

“Mauri will join the legends of the Hammond”
— Dr. Lonnie Smith, Hammond organ legend

AS A LEADER

• Less is More (Maos Records, 2003)
• Good Vibes!!! (BHM Music, 2006)
• More Vibes!!! Live at Jazz San Javier (Indigo Records, 2008) – Live DVD
• Groove Words (BHM Music, 2008)
• What did u expect (BHM Music, 2011)
• Live at Home (2012) – Live Concert

AS A SIDEMAN

El tema Lights incluido en FUNKY PLANET EARTH, junto a temas de John Scofield, Mike Stern, Scott Henderson Joe Zawinul, etc…

En Marzo de 2005, Mauri Sanchis pasó a convertirse en el primer organista español de la historia en ser nombrado endorser por la prestigiosa marca Hammond.

PRESENTACIÓN HAMMOND XK SYSTEM

La primera colaboración tuvo lugar en abril 2005 donde Hammond escogió a Mauri para la presentación mundial del nuevo XK System en Musik Messe (en la foto), la feria más importante del music business celebrada en Frankfurt (Alemania).

PRESENTACIÓN HAMMOND 44

Con motivo del 75 aniversario de la marca, Mauri presentó en su ciudad natal, Alcoy, el nuevo melodion Hammond 44. El primer melodion con tecla “waterfall” tipo Hammond, con 44 teclas y salida de micro.

PRESENTACIÓN MINI B

En 2010, Mauri fue escogido para lanzar en España el nuevo concepto del sistema XK con soporte y banqueta de madera, simulando al clásico B3, así como el nuevo Leslie 3300w, al más puro estilo Leslie 122.

Nació el nuevo Mini B. La presentación se hizo oficial en festivales de gran relevancia como Blues Cazorla Festival.

PRESENTACIÓN SERIE SK

Abril, 2011, nuevamente feria de Frankfurt. Mauri participa en la presentación mundial de los órganos Hammond más ligeros de la historia, el SK1 y SK2 realizando demos.

Hammond escogió a Mauri para preparar el primer vídeo en castellano jamás grabado por la marca.

Randy Brecker, Bill Evans, Dean Brown, J. DeFrancesco, Popa Chubby, Graham Foster, Chuck Loeb, Vargas Blues Band, Kepa Junkera, Raimundo Amador, Sole Giménez, Santiago Campillo, Buddy Whittington, Arkano, and Revolver.

Joe Zawinul, Chano Dominguez, Mike Stern, Scott Henderson