Arturo Sandoval, recipient of the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom, is one of the most celebrated and versatile musicians of our time. A 10-time Grammy Award winner (with 19 nominations), Emmy recipient, and six-time Billboard Award winner, Sandoval is renowned as a jazz trumpet and flugelhorn virtuoso, classical artist, pianist, and composer.
Born in Cuba and mentored by the legendary Dizzy Gillespie, Sandoval was a founding member of the Grammy-winning group Irakere before launching a solo career that has taken him to the world’s most prestigious stages—from the Oscars and the Grammys to concert halls with leading symphony orchestras.
Sandoval’s work spans jazz, Latin jazz, classical, and film, with compositions featured in major movies and ballets. His collaborations range from Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz to Tony Bennett, Alicia Keys, and John Williams. With boundless energy, technical brilliance, and emotional depth, Sandoval continues to inspire audiences worldwide as one of music’s true giants.