Arturo Sandoval: My Passion For The Piano

Like his mentor, Dizzy Gillespie, Sandoval has always felt comfortable sitting down at the piano to accompany his band and to share in the ensemble's fun. As a piano soloist, he is surprisingly well skilled. After all, he's classically trained. Sandoval attended Cuba's National School of the Arts before helping to found Havana's Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna and Irakere.

Using the instrument's full range and a percussive technique, Sandoval creates a forceful piano machismo. Romantic on ballads and agile on romps, he expresses from the heart. One truly romantic piece is named for his wife. The pianist's fiery interpretation of "All The Things You Are" turns awe-inspiring. As a pianist, he's more than convincing; Sandoval loves what he's doing and performs well. With several other standards, and originals by both Sandoval and bassist Dennis Marks, the trio pumps variety into its session. The addition of saxophonist Ed Calle and conguero Samuel Torres works well; but it's the core piano trio that shines here. Showing a stylistic range that extends from Don Pullen and McCoy Tyner to Bill Evans, Arturo Sandoval has a passion for creative jazz that works exceptionally well on piano. His piano album comes highly recommended.

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