Sunday, March 19, 2006

Arturo Sandoval’s Fruits of Freedom

“That’s the reason I’m here, because in Cuba we don’t have freedom. That’s the main thing, the most important thing a human being can aspire to have. Freedom.”—Arturo Sandoval interviewed on ’98 JVC Jazz Festival Newport, R.I.

Sandoval was once imprisoned by the Castro regime for listening to Willis Conover’s VOA jazz broadcasts. A protégé of Dizzy Gillespie in the UN Big Band, Sandoval would eventually defect to America. Having enjoyed musical and political freedom, Arturo Sandoval will enjoy the fruits of economic freedom with the opening of his new club in Miami, Florida on April 2, according to a recent announcement.

In Sandoval’s club May 1st will be just another day on the calendar, and I don’t like Janet Reno’s chances of getting a table. The music should be great, since Arturo Sandoval is running the show.