World Music Institute Ends Masters of Cuban Music Series with Arturo Sandoval

On the heels of Chucho Valdés' Irakere 40 show at Town Hall on November 10, the World Music Institute's inaugural Masters of Cuban Music series culminates on Wednesday, December 2 at 8:00 p.m. with a performance by one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of our time, ARTURO SANDOVAL.

Co-presented by 92Y and World Music Institute, the concert is a special tribute to Sandoval's teacher and mentor Dizzy Gillespie. A protégé of the legendary jazz master, his 2012 album Dear Diz (Every Day I Think of You) earned Sandoval his 10th Grammy Award.

Sandoval was born in Artemisa, a small town in the outskirts of Havana, Cuba, in 1949-just two years after Gillespie became the first musician to bring Latin influences into American Jazz. The two met when Gillespie visited Havana in 1977, when Sandoval took the opportunity to play trumpet for his hero, and remained close until Gillespie's death.

"I always considered that a gift from God - to be able to meet and become a close friend of your hero," Sandoval said. Today, Sandoval remains one of the world's most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn, as well as a renowned classical artist, pianist, and composer. A dynamic and vivacious performer, Sandoval is also the 2013 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

A protégé 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 first musician to bring Latin influences into American Jazz. Sandoval began studying classical trumpet at the age of twelve, but it didn't take him long to catch the excitement of the jazz world. He has since evolved into one of the world's most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn, as well as a renowned classical artist, pianist and composer.

Sandoval has been awarded 10 Grammy Awards, and nominated 19 times; he has also received 6 Billboard Awards and an Emmy Award. The latter was for his composing work on the entire underscore of the HBO movie based on his life, "For Love or Country" that starred Andy Garcia as Arturo. His two latest Grammy Award-winning albums, Dear Diz (Everyday I think of you) and Tango Como Yo Te Siento are now available worldwide. Arturo Sandoval's newest CD, Eternamente Manzanero, features the music of revered Mexican romantic pianist/singer/songwriter,Armando Manzanero. Performing Senor Manzanero's music with co-headliner Jorge Calandrelli, the album is a fresh, modern take on his beautiful bolero music.

For tickets and more information click here.