Cuban-American trumpeter Arturo Sandoval might not be a family title to the informal jazz listener – however he should be. For over 5 a long time, Sandoval has been fusing collectively the Afro-Cuban rhythms and beats of his birthplace with trendy jazz compositions. With a discography of greater than 30 albums, he’s amassed a bevy of accolades: ten Grammy Awards, six Billboard Awards, an Emmy Award, a Hispanic Heritage Award, an Honorary Doctorate from The College of Notre Dame, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom – awarded by President Obama in 2013.
Sandoval has not solely achieved the American dream, he embodies the spirits of those that’ve paved the way in which for him. From bebopper Dizzy Gillespie to mambo king Tito Puente, Sandoval has been influenced by the greats, and had the privilege of enjoying with and studying from them, too.
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As we speak, Sandoval is without doubt one of the most celebrated and embellished figures in jazz, however his story begins humbly. Born November 6, 1949, in Artemisa, Cuba, the son of an auto mechanic, Sandoval started instructing himself the trumpet at age 12, typically enjoying alongside avenue musicians, earlier than learning with a Russian classical trumpeter on the Cuban Nationwide Faculty of the Arts. Sadly, his ardour was placed on maintain resulting from necessary navy service. “We used to listen every single day to ‘Voice of America,’ a short wave radio program, and they played everything in jazz music,” Sandoval recalled to NPR in 2013. “That was the only way we could hear and be connected with the music we love. The sergeant caught me listening and they put me in jail because I was listening to the voice of the enemies.”
By the Nineteen Seventies, as soon as free from his navy obligations, he helped kind the Latin Grammy Award-winning Afro-Cuban band Irakere with native musicians. In 1977, a buddy knowledgeable Arturo a few jazz cruise touring the Caribbean, that includes among the style’s greats, together with Stan Getz, Earl Hines, and Dizzy Gillespie. (The latter was his musical hero, somebody he’d been a fan of since childhood.) Whereas the ship was docked in Havana, Arturo received himself a gig as Dizzy’s driver, taking him on his first journey across the metropolis. “At that time, I couldn’t speak any English at all,” Sandoval defined. “We communicated through a third person who translated for us. But we connected so well since that very first moment…. I never told him that I was a musician myself. When he saw me with the trumpet in my hand, he said: ‘What is my driver doing with a trumpet?’”
That night time, the younger, bold Cuban performed for the long-lasting bandleader and blew him away. “That was the very beginning of our friendship and collaboration. And he became my mentor and he inspired me so much. He gave me so many opportunities.” Within the early Eighties, Arturo discovered himself touring around the globe with Gillespie, in addition to performing with the United Nations Orchestra and BBC Symphony, amongst different ensembles. His alternatives had been restricted, nevertheless, resulting from a restricted touring schedule enforced by the Cuban authorities.
As a result of heavy sanctions underneath Castro’s regime on the time, Sandoval determined to hunt asylum on the U.S. Embassy in Rome throughout a European tour in 1990. Inside days, Sandoval and his household had been friends of President Bush on the White Home and shortly granted everlasting residency. As soon as he was settled in Miami, Sandoval signed with GRP Information and launched his American debut album, Flight to Freedom, incorporating Dizzy’s bebop influences together with Latin percussion from his Cuban heritage. “I can’t imagine how my life was way back in Cuba, ” stated Sandoval, reflecting on his journey with NPR. “I’m so happy to be in this country. Every day is a wonderful day for me in this wonderful nation.”
Collaborations
Versatility has been the important thing to Arturo Sandoval’s musical success and longevity. He’s disinterested with classes others could place him in. “As much as I love bebop, for the majority of people, every time they see my face they’re going to relate that to the Latino thing. And that’s such a stupid idea. Not because you were born in Nashville, you’re going to be a hell of a Country musician. Or not because you are Black and from New Orleans, you’re going to be a hell of a Jazz player… That doesn’t work that way. Music belongs to the human race.”
Accordingly, Sandoval has been keen about collaboration, ever since his days with Irakere in Cuba. Whether or not acting at main festivals to 1000’s or at awards reveals seen by thousands and thousands, he’s shared the stage with a few of music’s most iconic figures, together with Gloria Estefan, Patti LaBelle, Ricky Martin, Michel Legrand, Tito Puente, and numerous others. He’s additionally labored within the studio for a spread of artists, from Alicia Keys to Josh Groban, Rod Stewart to Johnny Mathis, in addition to each Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett’s Duets periods.
In 2019, Common Music Latino gave him the chance to create his personal want record of artists to collaborate with on Final Duets. Sandoval showcased his many pursuits by selecting Celia Cruz, Stevie Marvel, Al Jarreau, Plácido Domingo, and Alejandro Sanz, amongst others. The album additionally included an unique composition by tremendous producer Pharrell Williams, with vocals by world pop star Ariana Grande, bringing Sandoval to the ears of youthful listeners.
The Plácido Domingo collaboration on Final Duets was no accident. Sandoval is an completed classical musician, having carried out with symphonies around the globe. He’s even launched his personal classical album, together with his personal unique compositions. “Trumpet could be whatever you want or whatever you have the ability to use that instrument,” he as soon as instructed NPR. “You can whisper it softer than you can imagine or you can make a big noise like no one else… I love music, period. One of my goals as a musician is being able to make a good interpretation of as many styles as I can.”
Movie & TV
Even in case you haven’t heard any of his information or seen him in live performance, you will have heard Arturo Sandoval’s work and never realized it. He’s created unique compositions and scores for the large and small screens, together with the 2000 HBO film For Love or Nation: The Arturo Sandoval Story, starring Andy Garcia. He’s additionally labored on quite a few memorable scores, together with Hidden Figures, 2013’s Superman, and The Mambo Kings, based mostly on lots of the Latin American musicians who paved the way in which earlier than him.
Certainly, over the previous 5 a long time, Arturo Sandoval has managed to interrupt down limitations, convey unity via artwork, and make us transfer our ft – abruptly. If we’re lucky, he received’t be slowing down anytime quickly.
Hearken to the most effective of Arturo Sandoval on Apple Music or Spotify.
