Sanchez will be awarded by his alma mater St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) for his 30 years of unbroken service to the local entertainment industry.

The artiste — known and respected for his smooth voice which has, over the years, been used to add a reggae flavour to cover versions of a number of international hits — will be recognised at a show dubbed ‘Sanchez and Friends – Keeping it Real’, to be staged tomorrow at the Jamaica College Auditorium in St Andrew.

Sanchez will not only be on the receiving end; he will simultaneously be giving back almost $2 million to the school, from his performance fees and other gifts. All proceeds from the charity event will go towards the re-roofing and expansion of the school’s auditorium, which is named in honour of its iconic former principal – SW Isaac Henry.

Principal of STATHS Rayon Simpson noted that the event is being used to bring the school family together in a reunion of sorts, while at the same time recognising Sanchez

“After 30 years in the music industry, it is only appropriate and fitting that we should showhow proud we are of Sanchez who is one of our past students. He actually recorded his first hit Lady in Red, while still a student at STATHS in 1987. We just could not miss this opportunity to recognise him on this occasion. He is an incredible example to our students, as it relates to the music, having never descended into lewd lyrics, and has consistently delivered at the highest level. [These] are traits we want our students to look up to and possibly emulate if they choose a career in music,” Simpson told the Jamaica Observer.

Tomorrow’s show is billed around past students. Fellow STATHS alumni Mega Banton, Warrior King, Jai Kinston and Hawkeye alongside Sanchez’s long-time friend Admiral Bailey will pay tribute to him on the night.

Singer Dimario McDowell, who is also a past student of STATHS, will share hosting duties with radio personality Denise “Isis” Miller. The show is being produced by Worrell King, founder of Kings of Kings Promotions and Western Consciousness.

Born Kevin Anthony Jackson, Sanchez, who started out singing in church, burst on the secular music scene dropping covers and has made a career of this. His known tracks include One In A Million, Fall In Love, Missing You, I Care For You and Never Dis Di Man.