By DEBORAH MARTINEZ MARTINEZ
Musician Arturo Sandoval was awarded Kennedy Center honors Dec 8, 2024. He is one of only four Hispanics honored.
According to Felix Sanchez, President of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation Awards, of 75 people on the Kennedy Center Selection Committee, only two are Hispanic. The newest Hispanic honored is Arturo Sandoval.
Sandoval defected from Cuba in 1960. He played trumpet but was imprisoned for three months for listening to “Yankee Imperialism.” When Dizzy Gillespie was allowed to tour Cuba, Sandoval acted as his chauffeur. Sandoval performed for Gillespie and was accepted as an outstanding musician. Sandoval toured with Gillespie for 10 years and defected when his wife and son were allowed to visit England for a special performance.
In 1990, Sandoval performed at the Kennedy Center honoring his mentor Dizzy Gillespie. In April 1997, he was denied U.S. Citizenship.
Sandoval wrote 48 jazz albums, won a dozen Grammys and Latin Grammys, an Emmy, and earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He plays piano, timbales and composes.
He also started a foundation for young musicians. The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation founded the Arturo Sandoval Music School at Bonao, Dominican Republic. The school helps children in need and supports their pursuit of their talent in the arts.
Other Hispanics amongst the Kennedy Center Honorees are Chita Rivera (2002), Placido Domingo (2000), and Cesar Condo (2001).
Felix Sanchez suggested other greats such as Joan Baez, Carlos Santana, and Rita Moreno for Kennedy Center Honors.
