Home » Jazz Musicians » Arturo Sandoval

Arturo Sandoval

Arturo Sandoval is a virtuoso trumpet master who hasexpressed 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 topselling records, of which he has over twenty seven asleader, and has appeared on hundreds of sessions. On topof being a full time professor, he maintains a rigoroustouring schedule, and is known for his riveting performancesalways accompanied by premier musicians.

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

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

After his discharge, he co-founded Irakere, which becameCuba's most important Jazz ensemble, with saxophonistPaquito D'Rivera and pianist Chucho Valdes. They quicklybecame a worldwide sensation, and their appearance at the1978 Newport Jazz Festival in New York introduced them toAmerican audiences and resulted in a recording contractwith Columbia Records.

But Arturo Sandoval was in search of new musicalpossibilities and he left the group in 1981 to form his ownband. He continued to tour worldwide with his group, playinga unique blend of Latin music and Jazz, and also as aclassical trumpeter, performing with the BBC Symphony inLondon and the Leningrad Symphony in the former SovietUnion.

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

Because of the political situation in Cuba, the country wasisolated from American musicians for nearly twenty yearsand during this first trip back, Dizzy wanted to visit the blackneighborhoods where musicians play guaguanco and rumbain the street. Sandoval offered to take Gillespie around inhis car, and only later that night when he took the stage withGillespie did Sandoval reveal himself as a musician.Theirfriendship remained strong until Dizzy's passing in 1992.Both men continued to play and record together regularly. Itwas while touring with Gillespie's Grammy Award-winningUnited Nation Orchestra in Rome in 1990 that Sandovalrequested political asylum.

Read more

Tags

47
Album Review

Alex Sino / Terry Heimat / Richard Bravo: Alma Libre

Read "Alma Libre" reviewed by Karan Khosla


Some albums carry the signature of a single artist. Alma Libre, which translates to “Free Soul," takes a different path, shaped by a team of Grammy-winning producers, arrangers and musicians who thrive on collaboration. Producers Alex Sino and Richard Bravo, along with conductor and arranger Terry Heimat (Taras Kutsenko), steer the album's direction; the performers include Cuban trumpet legend Arturo Sandoval, saxophonist Ed Calle, pianist Milton Salcedo, guitarist Francis Goya Francis Goya, trumpeters Terry Heimat and Julio Ariel Díaz, pianists ...

25
Album Review

Deborah Silver: Deborah Silver with the Count Basie Orchestra: Basie Rocks!

Read "Deborah Silver with the Count Basie Orchestra: Basie Rocks!" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Basie Rocks! A great idea? One best left on the cutting-room floor? Or perhaps a little of both? There are reasonable arguments to be made on all sides of the equation. On the one hand, this is the one and only Count Basie Orchestra, swinging in its own exceptional way. On the other, the orchestra has joined forces on every number with Mississippi-bred pop-rock singer Deborah Silver, the latest in a series of acclaimed guest vocalists that includes Ella Fitzgerald, ...

3
Album Review

Deborah Silver: Deborah Silver with the Count Basie Orchestra: Basie Rocks!

Read "Deborah Silver with the Count Basie Orchestra: Basie Rocks!" reviewed by Kyle Simpler


Jazz musicians frequently cover popular songs, but few do it quite like vocalist Deborah Silver. With Basie Rocks!, Silver teams up with the iconic Count Basie Orchestra for a genre-crossing collection that you truly have to hear to believe. This is a groove-charged big band album that reimagines classic rock and pop classics through the swinging lens of traditional jazz. While that premise might sound gimmicky on paper, the result is total sonic satisfaction. Produced by ...

2
Radio & Podcasts

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

Read "Heavy Hitters, Ben Paterson, Stan Harrison, Arturo Sandoval and more" reviewed by Benjamin Boddie


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 ...

28
Album Review

Camilo Valencia / Richard Bravo: Made in Miami

Read "Made in Miami" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


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)," ...

75
Live Review

Arturo Sandoval At Yoshi's

Read "Arturo Sandoval At Yoshi's" reviewed by Walter Atkins


Arturo Sandoval Yoshi's Oakland 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 Gerl, ...

3
Radio & Podcasts

Donny McCaslin, Arthur Blythe & Arturo Sandoval

Read "Donny McCaslin, Arthur Blythe & Arturo Sandoval" reviewed by Joe Dimino


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 ...

Read more articles
1
Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci

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

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 ...

1
Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci

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

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 ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci

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

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 ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci

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

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 ...

1
Video / DVD

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Spotlight on Arturo Sandoval

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Spotlight on Arturo Sandoval

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

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 ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci

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

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 ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci

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

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 ...

1
Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci

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 ...

1
Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci

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 ...

1
Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Jazz Musician of the Day: Arturo Sandoval

Source: Michael Ricci

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 ...

Keith Fiala
trumpet
Alexis Baro
trumpet
Ye Huang
clarinet
Jamie Bullock
piano and vocals
Pepito Montes
piano and vocals
Alex Sino
producer
Darius Jones Shrek
trumpet and vocals
Terry Heimat
composer / conductor
Joey Calveiro
saxophone

Photos

Concerts

Nov 15 Sat

Tickets

Nov 16 Sun

Tickets

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Among The Stars

Calveiro Entertainment LLC
2025

buy

Alma Libre

Pier 5, Terry Heimat Studios, LLC
2025

buy

Deborah Silver with...

Green Hill Records
2025

buy

Made in Miami

Pier 5 /Warner Music Latin
2022

buy

Ultimate Duets

Universal Music Group
2018

buy

Gershwin Reimagined:...

Decca Music Group
2018

buy

I'll Be Always With You

From: Alma Libre
By Arturo Sandoval

Videos

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.

Install All About Jazz

iOS Instructions:

To install this app, follow these steps:

All About Jazz would like to send you notifications

Notifications include timely alerts to content of interest, such as articles, reviews, new features, and more. These can be configured in Settings.