Arturo Sandoval

Overview

In this section, we'll consider a number of artists who distinguished themselves in the late 80s, the 90s, and early 2000s. We will note the important contributions of several American and Cuban artists to Latin jazz, and follow the "mainstreaming" of Latin jazz over the last quarter-century. We will also hear from a number of international jazz artists who incorporate indigenous folk music from around the world into their music, and have thus made a significant contribution to the globalization of jazz.

Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to do the following:

Recognize some of the key American and Cuban jazz artists and their contributions to Latin jazz
Recognize some of the international figures in jazz who contribute to the globalization of jazz
Recognize some of the recent jazz artists, both mainstream and progressive, whose art continues to fuel the debate about the future of jazz—and what jazz is

Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval (b. 1949) has prospered since his defection from Cuba in 1990 and relocation to Miami. Already renowned for his extraordinary virtuoso technique — especially his stratospheric high-note playing — Sandoval has since continued to garner praise in both the worlds of classical music and jazz. He is also a fine pianist.

In 1988, before his defection, Sandoval recorded an album with Chucho Valdes, Straight Ahead, while the two were in London.

Sandoval Arturo

The quartet setting showcases the individual talents of these two gifted musicians, as well as the collaborative spirit between them that celebrates their Afro-Cuban heritage — even when playing with straight-ahead English and Scottish band mates. Let's listen to Mambo Influenciado ♫.

The tune is another Latin-infused 12-bar blues form, this one from Chucho Valdez, which we hear played twice (0:15-0:43). Then follow dazzling solos, first from Sandoval (0:43-1:52) and then from Chucho (1:53-2:48). The pair takes turns trading fours, and then twos, with drummer Martin Drew (2:48-4:08) before a highly ornamented return to the headA synonym for melody. . With a nod to bebop pioneer Dizzy Gillespie, the group closes with a quotation from Dizzy's tune Salt Peanuts ♫.

Chucho Valdes and Arturo Sandoval, Mambo Influenciado ♫ (Chucho Valdes), London, 1988. Arturo Sandoval, trumpet; Chucho Valdes, piano; Ron Matthewson, bass; Martin Drew, drums.

"Music, for me, has always been a place where anything is possible--a refuge, a magical world where anyone can go, where all kinds of people can come together, and anything can happen. We are limited only by our imaginations."

-Bill Frisell

"If there is no dance, there is not music."

-Tito Puente

Cassandra Wilson's album Blue Light 'Til Dawn, released in 1993, is ranked in the top 150 Greatest Albums Made by Women by NPR

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