Arturo Sandoval

Birth Name:

Arturo Sandoval

Birth Place:

Artesmia, Cuba

Profession

Composer, Music department, Actor

Honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2013
Recipient of the Hall of Fame honor at the Nosotros Golden Eagle Awards in 2000
Began studying at the Cuban National School of Arts in 1964
Quote: "Freedom is the most important word in the entire dictionary․ You know about it when you lose it and then you have a completely different idea and perspective on the whole thing․"
Quote: "That has always been my priority; try to be as good as I can today, this 24 hours․ What happened yesterday is history and what is going to happen tomorrow is in the hands of God․"
After leaving Irakere in 1981, he continued to tour the world on his own, recording many singles for artists such as Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra and dozens more
Established the band Irakere with Chucho Valdes and Paquito D'Rivera, a group that would become extremely popular in their native Cuba and later the United States
Met his idol Billy Gillespie in 1977 when the musician came to tour Cuba
Became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1999
Drafted into the Cuban military in 1971

1993Grammy - Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television:Nominated
2001OFTA Television Award - Best Music in a Motion Picture or Miniseries:Nominated
2001Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Dramatic Underscore):Winner

Fast Facts