Arturo Sandoval

A protg of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie,

Sandoval was born in Artemisa, a small town in the
outskirts of Havana, Cuba, on November 6, 1949, just
two years after Gillespie became the rst musician to
bring Latin inuences into American Jazz. Sandoval
began studying classical trumpet at the age of twelve,
but it didnt take him long to catch the excitement of
the jazz world. He has since evolved into one of the
worlds most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet
and ugel horn, as well as a renowned classical artist,
pianist and composer.
He is one of the most dynamic and vivacious live
performers of our time, and has been seen by millions
at the Oscars performing with Celine Dion, at the
Grammy Awards with Justin Timberlake and in his
own right as a leader. He also performed at the
Billboard Awards with Alicia Keys.
Sandoval has been awarded 10 Grammy Awards, and
nominated 19 times; he has also received 6 Billboard
Awards and an Emmy Award. The latter for his
composing work on the entire underscore of the HBO movie based on his life, For Love or
Country starring Andy Garcia. His two latest Grammy award winning albums, Dear Diz
Everyday I think of you and Tango Como Yo Te Siento are now available worldwide.
Recently released, is a new book chronicling his relationship with Dizzy Gillespie entitled The
Man Who Changed My Life. Arturo is also the 2013 recipient of the Presidential Medal of
Freedom.
Sandoval was a founding member of the Grammy Award-winning group Irakere, whose
explosive mixture of jazz, classical, rock and traditional Cuban music caused a sensation
throughout the entertainment world. In 1981, he left Irakere to form his own band, which
garnered enthusiastic praise from critics and audiences all over the world, and continues to do so.
Sandoval is also a renowned classical musician, performing regularly with the leading symphony
orchestras from around the world. Arturo has composed his own Concerto for Trumpet &
Orchestra, which can be heard on Arturo Sandoval: The Classical Album. Arturo has
performed with the foremost orchestras in the country as well as abroad and recorded John
Williams Trumpet Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra. His classical artistry has
earned him the respect and admiration from the most prestigious conductors, composers and
symphony orchestras worldwide.
Arturo Sandovals versatility can be heard on recordings with everyone from Dizzy Gillespie,
Woody Herman, Woody Shaw, Michel Legrand, Bill Conti, and Stan Getz to Johnny Mathis,
Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka, Rod Stewart, Josh Groban and Alicia Keys amongst many others. He
has performed with John
Williams with the Boston Pops,
and in the Super bowl with Tony
Bennett and Patti LaBelle.
His compositions can also be
heard on Dave Grusins
soundtrack for Havana and
Random Heart, in the
Mambo Kings soundtrack
with his Grammy nominated
composition Mambo Caliente,
in the soundtrack of The Perez
Family, 61, Mr. Wrong,
the documentary Oscar, and
The Family Fuentes among of
others. He also was
commissioned by the Kennedy
Center to compose the music for
the ballet Pepitos Story,
Soul Possessed, as well as
Oman O Men, and The
Chocolate Hot Nutcracker, choreographed by Debbie Allen. And as mentioned above, he was
awarded an Emmy for his composing work on the entire underscore of the HBO movie based on
his life, For Love or Country starring Andy Garcia.Arturo Sandoval reaches beyond the scope
of mere effort.
His struggles while in Cuba and since his defection have given him more energy and strength,
urging him to accomplish and surpass his childhood dreams. Filled with a virtuoso capability, he
desires nothing more than to share his gift with others who feel the same intense adoration for
music as he does. One frequently speaks of Arturo Sandovals virtuoso technical ability or his
specialty in high notes, but he who has seen him on the piano, lyrically improvising a ballad, or
has had the opportunity to enjoy the diversity of his music, through his compositions from the
most straight ahead jazz, Latin jazz or classical, knows that Arturo Sandoval is a prominent
musician, and one recognizes that Arturo is one of the most brilliant, multifaceted and renowned
musicians of our time.
Rick Holland: Arturo: Thank-you for graciously accepting my invite for an interview. My
first question, Ill bet you have been asked this a lot, but what was it like in 1977 when
you first got to play with one of your idols Dizzy Gillespie? What most impressed you
about his playing?
AS: "I met Dizzy in Havana Cuba May/ 1977 He was doing a Caribbean jazz/cruise tour. They
stopped there for 48 hours. I knew about Him through
His records,and I learned many of His licks. Dizzy
was a genius, very intelligent person,He created a
brand new style of improvisation Be-Bop!!! I always
admire His way of playing the trumpet,for me, Dizzy
was the most musical of all jazz trumpeters ever
When I met Him it was like a gift from God,because
He changed my life with His friendship and support
He encouraged me always to keep trying,practicing
and learning all the time"
Rick Holland: How did he shape you as a
person? I know you did several concerts with
him, and even toured with the United Nations
Orchestra with Diz?
AS: "I owe my career to him, my life, he saved me,he gave me the opportunity to perform and
tour with him which lead to my immigration to the USA. He set me free, from the oppression of
a dictatorship where you could be sent to jail for listening to jazz on the radio Dizzy was a
genius of
music, my
hero, he
created
bebop,
besides
being an
incredible
trumpet
player, he
created a
musical style
in an era
when people
were playing
something
else. He
came out
with a new way of musical improvisation. I miss him very much"
Rick Holland: You are a versatile musician. Can you tell me why you wanted to
compose a Classical piece and perform it? The piece Concerto for Trumpet &
Orchestra comes to mind. Amazing performance and a well written concerto.
AS: Composing is part of the musical photograph of my life.
Rick Holland: Im always going to associate you with the Clifford Brown recording you
made, where you recorded all 4 parts. Your be-bop is really good. Can you tell us how
this developed? I know you play a lot of piano. Did the piano shape your musical
language?
AS: Dizzy was the one who encouraged me to learn piano. Piano lets you hear the
harmonies.
Rick Holland: You write and compose a lot. Do you feel this is a necessary vehicle for
musicians? How do you feel this completed you and made you the musician you are
today?
AS: For me, it is important. What works for me doesnt work for all musicians. For
myself, composition is a big part of my musical life.
Rick Holland: Tell me a little
bit about the process of
writing for a ballet? Like the
one you did for Debbie Allen,
Pepitos Story? How much
of this was visualized? How
did the story affect your
writing?
AS: It is absolutely a visual
collaboration, because its
visual to dance.

Rick Holland: I saw those
practice valves, and buzzing
device. Did you develop this?
Is it something that derived from doing so many road gigs?
AS: It is something that I use
constantly. We call it
Sandovalves
(www.sandovalves.com). I
came up with the product and
developed it with my
manager, trumpeter Frank
Vardaros. It helps so much
when I am in places that I
can not use my horn. It helps
me warmup when I am
traveling on the way to a
performance.
Rick Holland: Im a trumpet
player myself. And very
routined. How do you feel this
is a positive and a negative?
AS: Obviously I love the trumpet, but I also have a great passion for the piano. When I
am home from tour I play the piano every day. I also enjoy playing percussion and the
French horn.
Rick Holland: Changing the subject a bit. I happened to see the the Orange Bowl, and
you were invited to play the National Anthem. It was an astonishing performance. It was
like, everyone was waiting for something spectacular to happen. And of course,
something spectacular did. Do you feel this is important when entertaining crowds? You
are a very energized performer. I remember seeing you at the Trumpet conference in
Akron, Ohio. Your performance on Giant Steps lit it up.
AS: I always give 100% effort when I perform for people. I want to make them
happy.
Rick Holland: I really value speaking with you. You have always shown great courage
to go and meet famous people and mix it up with the great people of our time. (Just
recently with President Obama.) What was it like to receive the Presidential Medal of
Freedom? How important is freedom to you? Do you feel this in undervalued in this
country?
AS: It was a great honor. The name of the award is something that I like very much.
It represents Freedom, because without freedom, there is no life.
Thank-you Arturo for taking the time to communicate with me.