By Yalil Guerra, Ph.D, Special to the Van Nuys News Press
November 6 marks the birthday of one of the greatest musicians ever born on the island of Cuba: Arturo Sandoval. Trumpeter, composer, arranger, pianist, and teacher to generations, Sandoval has been —and continues to be — a true force of nature in music. His name commands respect on the world’s most prestigious stages, from jazz clubs in New York to the grand concert halls of Europe. His career stands as a shining example of perseverance, talent, and absolute devotion to art.
For Sandoval, Cuba was the starting point—but never the limit. From a young age, he understood that his calling transcended borders, that his trumpet was not meant to be confined to his homeland. Like so many gifted Cuban artists before him, he set out in search of creative freedom—a difficult journey filled with sacrifice and personal challenges. Decades later, history has proven that this impulse was not only justified but essential: Sandoval’s music belongs to the entire world. And perhaps even beyond. A musician it is often said that the universe itself seems too small for him.
I had the privilege of meeting Don Arturo more than a decade ago, when he moved to California, the state where we both reside. I still remember the first time he welcomed me into his home—it felt like entering a temple of music. In his recording studio, surrounded by instruments, microphones, scores, and mementos of a life devoted to art, one could sense a unique energy, a blend of discipline, humility, and genius.
After the visit to his studio, it was time for lunch. With his characteristic warmth, he and his wife invited me to share a simple but delicious meal of black beans, white rice, and steak—prepared in the true Cuban style. It was an ordinary gesture, yet deeply meaningful. That moment revealed a side of the maestro that few get to see behind the dazzling virtuosity lies a kind, generous man, profoundly Cuban, who has never forgotten his roots or his people.
Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to study and admire many great figures in both classical music and jazz. But finding a musician capable of mastering both worlds with equal depth is a rare gift. Arturo Sandoval is that rare combination of flawless technique, boundless sensitivity, and scholarly understanding. He can perform a baroque cadence with the same precision with which he improvises on a Dizzy Gillespie standard. It’s no accident—his training, curiosity, and discipline have led him to explore every possible musical language, making him a bridge between worlds that have traditionally remained apart. Beyond his talent, Sandoval embodies the essential values of an artist: dedication, perseverance, and profound respect for his craft. On social media, he often shares reflections that inspire young musicians around the world. He constantly reminds them that there are no shortcuts in art—that true success comes from steady work, daily study, and love for one’s calling. This philosophy, simple yet powerful, has made him not only a model of artistic excellence but also a voice of encouragement for future generations.
His influence extends far beyond his trumpet. Through his writings and reflections, Sandoval defends the importance of the arts as a vital force in human development. He has been a steadfast advocate for musical genres that, for commercial or media reasons, often go underappreciated. In a world dominated by instant gratification and mass consumption, his message rings clearly: true art requires time, patience, and total devotion.
Since my childhood, the name Arturo Sandoval was often heard in our home. My mentor and friend, the Cuban pianist and composer Andrés Alén and his wife Loly, used to speak of him with great admiration. I remember family conversations with my parents—the duo Rosell and Cary—where we would listen in awe to stories about his boundless talent and unstoppable energy. In those talks, Sandoval appeared almost as a mythic figure, a man capable of turning air into light through his trumpet. Today, with the passing of time, I can confirm that it was all true: his music moves, uplifts, and reminds us of the transformative power of art born from the soul.
Cuba—both those who live on the island and those of us abroad—must continue to love and honor our cultural pillars, regardless of political or ideological differences. Artists like Sandoval belong to everyone, not just to one side. To judge or marginalize them for their choices or beliefs is a mistake, one that history will surely recognize as such. Fifty or a hundred years from now, books will speak of his achievements, his legacy, and his contribution to universal music—not of the divisions that sometimes cloud our present vision.
To celebrate Arturo Sandoval today is to celebrate the greatness of the human spirit—the capacity to dream, to create, and to transcend boundaries. It is to recognize that beyond passports and ideologies, art is the truest form of freedom. His trumpet still sounds like a call to excellence, a voice of hope, and a reminder of what we Cubans can achieve when we give our hearts fully to what we love.
Happy birthday, Maestro. Thank you for your music, for your example, and for reminding us that when talent is joined with humility and passion, it truly reaches the heavens.