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
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 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 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 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
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