Ray Santos is one of my personal heroes. I model my life on people like him. Arturo O'Farrill herolifemodel Change image and share on social
Jazz and Cuba are inexorably tied together; it's not a branch from a tree. Latin music is part of the root of jazz. Arturo O'Farrill branchcubainexorably Change image and share on social
I always leaned toward free jazz... experimental jazz and progressive jazz. I feel like jazz is just part of the flavor and palette that you have as a musician to experiment with. Arturo O'Farrill experimentexperimentalfeel Change image and share on social
I made one rule for myself, and I really try to live it: Play music you love, with people you love, for people you love. If I can't be that kind of musician, I'll drive a cab. Arturo O'Farrill cabdrivekind Change image and share on social
I think when a musician loses their inhibition and dives deep into their soul, that's a prayer. It's so powerful that you will touch people whether it's good or bad. Arturo O'Farrill baddeepdive Change image and share on social
A lot of groups spend their whole cultural and aesthetic identity trying to move away from Africa, which I think is a mistake. One of the reasons I love Cuba and cultures like that is because they're not trying to move away from their African roots, they're trying to embrace them. That's part of the culture. Arturo O'Farrill aestheticafricaafrican share on social
I think the Apollo has always been the people's performing arts center and reflected the community, whether it is Stevie Wonder or Tito Puente. Arturo O'Farrill apolloartcenter Change image and share on social
I've always thought of music as profound spirituality because you can use that music and that spirituality for personal gain or for the good of the world, the good of humanity, and for the good of your people. Arturo O'Farrill gaingoodhave share on social
For me, learning music and playing music and learning your instrument has incredible parallels for our day-to-day existence as human beings. All the ideas of discipline, and having a sense of yourself and translating that to music, that's all part of life's journey. Arturo O'Farrill beingdaydiscipline share on social
I won't give up swimming, even if it kills me. I love the rhythm of it. Arturo O'Farrill givekilllove Change image and share on social