I made one rule for myself, and I really try to live it: Play music you love, with people you love, for people you love. If I can't be that kind of musician, I’ll drive a cab.
—Arturo O'Farrill, Founder & Artistic Director, Belongó
Jazz-Con 2025 is honored to announce that Arturo O’Farrill—six-time Grammy Award winner, two-time Latin Grammy Award winner, pianist, composer, bandleader, educator, and cultural advocate—will deliver the keynote address In the Key of Influence on Monday, September 15, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (EST). This special pre-recorded keynote interview will be a centerpiece of Jazz-Con 2025, offering rare and candid reflections from one of the most influential figures in jazz today.
O’Farrill’s Grammy record speaks for itself: 8 wins out of 15 nominations (including 2 Latin Grammys from 3 nominations), a .500 batting average that in baseball terms would qualify him for the Hall of Fame. Yet beyond the accolades, his career represents a lifetime dedicated to music, culture, and social change. Born in Mexico and raised in New York, O’Farrill has performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Carla Bley, Harry Belafonte, and countless others, while leading ensembles such as the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra and his own Sextet.
Reflecting on his journey, O’Farrill says: “I made one rule for myself, and I really try to live it: Play music you love, with people you love, for people you love. If I can't be that kind of musician, I’ll drive a cab.”
In his Jazz-Con keynote, O’Farrill will explore his life in music and the legacy of his family, the power of Latin American communities, and the urgency of confronting oppressive forces in society. He will also share his vision for Belongó—the nonprofit he founded in 2007 (formerly the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance)—and the transformative potential of Casa Belongó, a cultural hub supported by a $40 million capital campaign that will serve as a global home for preservation, innovation, and education in the arts. Above all, he will speak to his enduring passion for the arts in all forms as a force for creativity, equity, and change.
With characteristic candor and brilliance, Arturo O’Farrill’s keynote promises to be a defining moment of Jazz-Con 2025, offering inspiration and insight into why jazz—and the broader arts—remain vital cultural forces on the world stage.
In the Key of Influence: The Jazz-Con 2025 Keynote is presented by Belongó in partnership with the Nu Jazz Agency and JazzMetroplex.
For tickets and information, visit: jazz-con.com
O’Farrill’s Grammy record speaks for itself: 8 wins out of 15 nominations (including 2 Latin Grammys from 3 nominations), a .500 batting average that in baseball terms would qualify him for the Hall of Fame. Yet beyond the accolades, his career represents a lifetime dedicated to music, culture, and social change. Born in Mexico and raised in New York, O’Farrill has performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Carla Bley, Harry Belafonte, and countless others, while leading ensembles such as the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra and his own Sextet.
Reflecting on his journey, O’Farrill says: “I made one rule for myself, and I really try to live it: Play music you love, with people you love, for people you love. If I can't be that kind of musician, I’ll drive a cab.”
In his Jazz-Con keynote, O’Farrill will explore his life in music and the legacy of his family, the power of Latin American communities, and the urgency of confronting oppressive forces in society. He will also share his vision for Belongó—the nonprofit he founded in 2007 (formerly the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance)—and the transformative potential of Casa Belongó, a cultural hub supported by a $40 million capital campaign that will serve as a global home for preservation, innovation, and education in the arts. Above all, he will speak to his enduring passion for the arts in all forms as a force for creativity, equity, and change.
With characteristic candor and brilliance, Arturo O’Farrill’s keynote promises to be a defining moment of Jazz-Con 2025, offering inspiration and insight into why jazz—and the broader arts—remain vital cultural forces on the world stage.
In the Key of Influence: The Jazz-Con 2025 Keynote is presented by Belongó in partnership with the Nu Jazz Agency and JazzMetroplex.
About Belongó
Founded in 2007 as the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, Belongó entered a new chapter in September 2024 with a name change that reaffirmed its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Belongó is dedicated to preserving, presenting, and educating audiences about Afro Latin music and culture while amplifying the voices of Latin and Afro-diasporic communities around the world. Its next major initiative is the creation of Casa Belongó, a permanent cultural hub now in development through a $40 million capital campaign, envisioned as a lasting home for artistic excellence, innovation, and community empowerment.About the Nu Jazz Agency
The Nu Jazz Agency is a management, consulting, and advocacy organization dedicated to building sustainable careers and global opportunities for musicians, educators, and cultural leaders. By connecting artists with audiences worldwide and developing forward-thinking partnerships, the agency helps shape the future of jazz in the 21st century.About JazzMetroplex
Based in Texas, JazzMetroplex is a nonprofit committed to supporting jazz and classical musicians through education, advocacy, and community engagement. By producing festivals, scholarship programs, and international exchanges, JazzMetroplex empowers emerging and established talent alike while ensuring financial barriers never stand in the way of participation and artistic growth.For tickets and information, visit: jazz-con.com
For more information contact Nu Jazz Publicity.
