Rich with Rumba

Havana-born trumpeter Arturo Sandoval describes his latest release, Rumba Palace, as "Cuban music for today." The album, which was just nominated for a Latin Grammy in the Best Latin Jazz Album category, is essentially an Afro-Cuban big-band disc with some polished arrangements by fellow Cuban Felipe Lamoglia (who also plays saxophone on Rumba Palace). While Sandoval's playing is a bit more understated and relaxed — not firing out his trademark runs in the high register — his tone is gorgeous throughout. But hitting those high notes helped establish Sandoval as a major figure in the jazz world. His desire to play was fueled by an immense admiration for legendary jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, whom Sandoval calls his hero.

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More About

• Arturo Sandoval
• Dizzy Gillespie
• Havana
• Latin Grammy Awards
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media

"The first thing, and most important one, was a love for music, man," Sandoval says, referring to the greatest lesson he learned from Gillespie. "And enthusiasm and the desire to learn and get the new things."

Sandoval will play at the University of Colorado at Boulder tonight starting at 7:30 p.m. in Macky Auditorium; he'll hold a pre-concert conversation with John Davis, CU's director of jazz studies, at 6:45 in Macky room 102. Ticket prices range from $12 to $52. To learn more, call 303-492-8008 or visit www.cuconcerts.org.
Thu., Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.