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
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
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
Creating music based on art and giving away from your spirit is more important than making a living. Arturo O'Farrill artbasecreate Change image and share on social
You're going to tell me that things aren't right in Cuba, and so we shouldn't engage. It's lunacy. Look outside your door and see the inhumanity of Americans... that we perpetrate on a daily basis in our lives... and then tell me that you're going to isolate Cuba as an example. I'm sorry; that's unacceptable. Arturo O'Farrill americanbasiscuba share on social
Culture is a fluid, ongoing process. People tend to look at culture in a fixed time but it's constantly moving and evolving, as is the conversation between Americans and Cubans. Arturo O'Farrill americanconstantlyconversation 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 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