Arturo Sandoval

Arturo Sandoval is a virtuoso trumpet master who has expressed his versatility in the realms of jazz, Latin Jazz, popular and classical music. He has won six Grammy’s , one Emmy, is a multiple Billboard award winner for his top selling records, of which he has over twenty seven as leader, and has appeared on hundreds of sessions. On top of being a full time professor, he maintains a rigorous touring schedule, and is known for his riveting performances always accompanied by premier musicians.

Born in Artemisa, a small village in the province of Havana, Cuba on November 6, 1949, Arturo started playing music at age 13 in the village band, learning the basics of music theory and percussion. After playing many instruments, he finally settled on the trumpet.

In 1964, he began three years of serious classical trumpet studies at the Cuban National School of Arts and by the age of 16, he earned a place in the country's all-star national band. By this time, he was totally immersed in Jazz with Dizzy Gillespie his idol. Drafted into the military in 1971, Sandoval was able to play with the Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna and continued his daily practice regimen, an absolute must for trumpeters.

After his discharge, he co-founded Irakere, which became Cuba's most important Jazz ensemble, with saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera and pianist Chucho Valdes. They quickly became a worldwide sensation, and their appearance at the 1978 Newport Jazz Festival in New York introduced them to American audiences and resulted in a recording contract with Columbia Records.

But Arturo Sandoval was in search of new musical possibilities and he left the group in 1981 to form his own band. He continued to tour worldwide with his group, playing a unique blend of Latin music and Jazz, and also as a classical trumpeter, performing with the BBC Symphony in London and the Leningrad Symphony in the former Soviet Union.

Sandoval's talent has led him to associations with many great musicians, but perhaps the most important was with Dizzy Gillespie, a longtime proponent of Afro-Cuban music, whom Sandoval calls his spiritual father. The two musicians met in Cuba in 1977 when Gillespie was playing impromptu gigs throughout the Caribbean with saxophonist Stan Getz: "I went to the boat to find him. I've never had a complex about meeting famous people. If I respect somebody, I go there and try to meet them."

Because of the political situation in Cuba, the country was isolated from American musicians for nearly twenty years and during this first trip back, Dizzy wanted to visit the black neighborhoods where musicians play guaguanco and rumba in the street. Sandoval offered to take Gillespie around in his car, and only later that night when he took the stage with Gillespie did Sandoval reveal himself as a musician.Their friendship remained strong until Dizzy's passing in 1992. Both men continued to play and record together regularly. It was while touring with Gillespie's Grammy Award-winning United Nation Orchestra in Rome in 1990 that Sandoval requested political asylum.

Heavy Hitters, Ben Paterson, Stan Harrison, Arturo Sandoval and more

by Benjamin Boddie
November 27, 2024

Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Heavy Hitters, Ben Paterson, Stan Harrison, Hyeonseon Baek, Arturo Sandoval, Roy McGrath, Avishai Cohen, Marina Albero, Alvin Queen, The Bad Plus, Dharma Down, Jim Witzel, George Cables, Jazzmeia Horn, Jeff Rupert, Tomohiro Mori, Iya Ossachuk, Teri Parker, Joel Jeschke and John Fedchock, and more. Playlist Heavy Hitters “You'll Never Know What You Mean To Me" from That's What's Up (Cellar Music Group) 00:00 Ben Paterson “Morning Perusal" from Cookin' In The Couve ...

Album Review

Camilo Valencia / Richard Bravo: Made in Miami

Read "Made in Miami" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
February 6, 2023

Miami is a melting pot where people and musics of all stripes share space and influence, cross-pollinating to create a sound and culture like no other. That fact provides the foundation for this upbeat collection. Blending elements sourced from numerous musical styles and languages including salsa, pop, samba, jazz and R&B, among others, multi-instrumentalist Camilo Valencia and drummer Richard Bravo create unique and flavorful dishes served hot by a rotating cast. Opening on “CCU (Coronary Care Unit)," ...

Live Review

Arturo Sandoval At Yoshi's

by Walter Atkins
December 16, 2022

Arturo Sandoval Yoshi's Oakland jny: Oakland CA November 20, 2022 Emmy and ten-time Grammy-winning trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and his band performed Sunday night before an enthusiastic audience at Yoshi's Oakland. This was the final show in a completely sold out weekend of Afro Cuban music and much more at the popular East Bay venue. Sandoval's crack band consisted of: Mike Tucker, saxophone; Will Brahm, guitar; Max Haymer, piano; Danny Feldman, bass; Max ...

Radio & Podcasts

Donny McCaslin, Arthur Blythe & Arturo Sandoval

by Joe Dimino
November 13, 2022

We open the 776th Episode of Neon Jazz with a living legend and jazz advocate Arturo Sandoval and music off his latest album Rhythm and Soul. From there, we profile the Hanover Jazz Big Band Orchestra out of Germany after their first visit to Kansas City. We also put a few Halloween treats in the mix from Simeon Davis and Susie Blue and the Lonesome Fellas. Saxophonist Donny McCaslin is also a part of the mix. Finally, we bring the ...

SoCal Jazz

Arturo Sandoval: Two Counties, Two Lives, One Trumpet de Oro

by Jim Worsley
May 13, 2019

Arturo Sandoval is widely considered the world's premier living trumpet player. You will get no argument from me. After a tumultuous life in Cuba, he and his family successfully sought political asylum in the United States. His story is well documented in For Love or Country (HBO, 2000). Andy Garcia portrays Sandoval in this movie that accurately depicts the human side of his difficult, yet fascinating life and the events leading up to his escape from Cuba. It, however, tells ...

Catching Up With

Arturo Sandoval: Scoring Clint Eastwood’s “The Mule”

by Nicholas F. Mondello
December 17, 2018

Trumpet legend and 10-time Grammy winner, Arturo Sandoval was recently personally selected by Hollywood legend--and noted musician and composer--Clint Eastwood to compose the soundtrack for Eastwood's eagerly-awaited and newly released motion picture, The Mule. Both the film and soundtrack have received rave reviews. The Maestro joined All About Jazz to discuss the project. All About Jazz: Maestro, on behalf of All About Jazz, thank you for taking time to speak with us about your composing the soundtrack for ...

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Live Review

Arturo Sandoval At Yoshi's

by Walter Atkins
December 8, 2018

Arturo Sandoval Yoshi's Oakland Oakland CA November 17, 2018 Ten time Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval and his splendid band provided a memorable Saturday evening in one of the East Bay's favorite music venues, Yoshi's jny: Oakland. The Afro Cuban jazz trumpeter's sold out second show was part of a bustling three night stand coming just in time for some pre Thanksgiving Day weekend celebrations. Fortunately, the smoggy air from the massive Camp ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci
November 6, 2022

All About Jazz is celebrating Arturo Sandoval's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci
November 6, 2021

All About Jazz is celebrating Arturo Sandoval's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci
November 6, 2020

All About Jazz is celebrating Arturo Sandoval's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci
November 6, 2019

All About Jazz is celebrating Arturo Sandoval's birthday today!

Video / DVD

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Spotlight on Arturo Sandoval

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
October 20, 2019

This week, let's take a look at some videos featuring trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, who will perform with his band and vocalist Jane Monheit for the annual “Friends of the Sheldon" benefit next Saturday, October 26 at the Sheldon Concert Hall. It will be Sandoval's first local appearance since a weekend in October 2017 at Jazz St. Louis; Monheit last performed here in November of that year, also at Jazz St. Louis. Born in Cuba, the 69-year-old Sandoval first gained recognition ...
read more

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci
November 6, 2018

All About Jazz is celebrating Arturo Sandoval's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci
November 6, 2017

All About Jazz is celebrating Arturo Sandoval's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci
November 6, 2016

All About Jazz is celebrating Arturo Sandoval's birthday today!

Arturo Sandoval- Trumpet, composer, recording artist Arturo Sandoval is a virtuoso trumpet master who has expressed his versatility in the realms of jazz, Latin Jazz, popular and classical music. He has won six Grammy’s , one Emmy, is a multiple Billboard award winner for his top selling records, of which he has over twenty seven as leader, and has appeared on hundreds of sessions. On top of being a full time ...
read more

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci
November 6, 2015

All About Jazz is celebrating Arturo Sandoval's birthday today! Arturo Sandoval - Trumpet, composer, recording artist Arturo Sandoval is a virtuoso trumpet master who has expressed his versatility in the realms of jazz, Latin Jazz, popular and classical music. He has won six Grammy’s , one Emmy, is a multiple Billboard award winner for his top selling records, of which he has over twenty seven as leader, and has appeared on hundreds of sessions. On top of being a full ...
read more