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Sandoval Is Jazz Man On Mission

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By GEOFF FOX

gfox@tampatrib.com

Published: October 17, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - As a child, Arturo Sandoval lived in a house with dirt floors in Cuba.

By 2000, the year Andy Garcia portrayed him in a biopic titled "For Love or Country," the world-renowned jazz trumpeter had played alongside Dizzy Gillespie, performed at venues across the world and recorded dozens of records.

Now 59, Sandoval will entertain crowds at a pair of shows today at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel. He will perform with the jazz orchestra from Florida International University, where he teaches trumpet.

"I don't ask many questions," he said by phone this week from a Miami recording studio. "When they ask for a gig, I just go and do it. This is my life."

A musical workshop and concert for students will start at 2 p.m. A public concert is set for 7:30 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit the center's programs, said Director Patrick McDermott.

"I got in touch with a guy at FIU and invited him to bring their band up. He said, 'How'd you like if I brought Arturo Sandoval, too?'" McDermott said.

"I said, 'OK.' Sandoval did us a big favor compared to his regular rate."

A jazz fan, McDermott said he saw Sandoval perform about 12 years ago at a Florida Music Educators Association conference.

"Oh, man," McDermott said. "He played from about 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. He was phenomenal."

According to Sandoval, dedication played a bigger part in developing his skills than inherent talent. His father was an automotive mechanic, and Sandoval never picked up an instrument until he was 11.

"No one in my family was involved with music at all," he said. "I think it came from somewhere up there. God sent me a little music to save my life and take me from complete frustration. I was a hopeless kid. I was born and raised in the middle of nowhere. We were so poor, you can't imagine. I came from the bottom, bottom, bottom.

"Music saved my life and also gave me the blessing and opportunity to help my family, as well."

Sandoval said he first played in front of crowds as a teenager and eventually earned a scholarship to a music school in Havana, where he was trained classically.

"Later on, I discovered a little bit, a jazz record. Someone played it for me," he said. "Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. That was it. That was the thing that made my head completely turn upside down. I said, 'Oh, my goodness. I want to learn that.'

"I'm still in the middle of that mission."

IF YOU GO

TICKETS: $20 for adults, $10 for students and seniors

WHAT: Jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval performs with the Florida International University jazz orchestra
WHERE: Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. tonight

INFORMATION: Call (813) 794-8772, (352) 524-8772 or (727) 774-8772

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613.

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