Arturo Sandoval and his Quintet to perform October 30 in Palo Alto

Palo Alto’s Oshman Family JCC launches its Jazz Giants Series with an appearance by 10-time Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter ARTURO SANDOVAL AND HIS QUINTET. One of the most dynamic performers of our time, Arturo Sandoval has been honored as one of only three jazz musicians to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and has also won six Billboard Awards and an Emmy Award. Sandoval’s versatility can be heard on recordings with everyone from Dizzy Gillespie and Frank Sinatra to Rod Stewart and Alicia Keys.

ARTURO SANDOVAL was born in Artemisa, a small town on the outskirts of Havana, Cuba. At twelve, Sandoval began studying the classical trumpet, but soon became enthralled with the heat and spirit of jazz. As a young jazz musician, he was inspired by American artists such as Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, and his hero Dizzy Gillespie. When Gillespie came to Havana in 1977, Sandoval managed to get a job as the jazz great’s driver, and only after an extensive tour of the city did Sandoval reveal his true profession as a trumpeter. Gillespie went on to become an important mentor and profound influence, and the two remained friends until Gillespie’s death in 1993.

Sandoval’s rich musical heritage gave him a unique edge in the jazz world as he seamlessly transitioned between Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz and classical music. He was a founding member of the group Irakere, whose explosive mixture of jazz, classical, rock and traditional Cuban music garnered worldwide recognition and a Grammy Award for Best Latin Recording. When Sandoval left Irakere to form his own band, he thrilled audiences with his talents as a band leader and soloist. Sandoval has appeared at the Oscars with Celine Dion, at the Grammy Awards with Justin Timberlake, with John Williams and the Boston Pops, and in the Super Bowl with Tony Bennett and Patti LaBelle.

Sandoval is also a renowned classical musician, performing regularly with leading symphony orchestras from around the world. He has composed his own “Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra,” which can be heard on “Arturo Sandoval: “The Classical Album,” and has performed with the foremost orchestras worldwide.

The Jazz Giants Series will continue with Grammy Award-winning bassist Ron Carter and His Trio, Thursday December 4, 2014.

For information or to order tickets the public can call (650) 223-8664 or visit www.paloaltojcc.org/sandoval