{"id":214778,"date":"2024-01-15T13:55:30","date_gmt":"2024-01-15T18:55:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/?p=214778"},"modified":"2024-01-15T13:58:43","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T18:58:43","slug":"legendary-trumpeter-arturo-sandoval-delivers-lessons-on-music-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/2024\/01\/15\/legendary-trumpeter-arturo-sandoval-delivers-lessons-on-music-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Legendary Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval Delivers Lessons on Music, Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

The energy was electric as student trumpeter Ryan Branco stepped center stage at the Alexander Kasser Theater. Accompanied by Adjunct Music Professor Ron Levy on piano, the senior Music Education major played the song he\u2019d been practicing in his room at home, the trumpet solo-heavy \u201cRustiques\u201d by Eugene Bozza Branco.<\/p>\n

While the almost 500-seat theater was packed, he was truly playing for an audience of one: none other than Maestro Arturo Sandoval, one of the greatest trumpet players and composers to ever pick up the instrument. Sandoval\u2019s presence was made possible through the John J. Cali School of Music\u2019s\u00a0Immersive Residency Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When Branco was done, Sandoval who was sitting nearby mouthed, \u201cWow.\u201d Then he explained that the trumpet is \u201can extremely unforgiving instrument. It doesn\u2019t matter how comfortable you feel or how much you prepare, it will surprise you, and the trumpet is going to win.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sporting a casual navy-blue pullover sweater, jeans and multicolored Dolce & Gabbana sneakers, a jovial Sandoval doled out advice and appreciation in almost equal measure. He suggested to Branco that he focus on the most difficult passages and play slowly to improve his dexterity. \u201cYour fingers have to be a percussion instrument,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful piece, very demanding. You did a good job. I like the sound and your interpretation\u2026. You have a future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever get discouraged,\u201d he told\u00a0 Branco and other students, sharing how people in his village in Cuba discouraged him from pursuing a career in music, telling him, \u201cYou\u2019re never going to make it.\u201d The audience laughed at the irony.<\/p>\n

Branco had planned on playing \u201cArutunian Trumpet Concerto,\u201d which he\u2019s been playing for three years but his professor thought it was too easy and challenged him to step outside his comfort zone, so instead, he performed\u00a0 \u201cRustiques\u201d after only two months of practice.<\/p>\n

Branco\u2019s mother, Elizabete, took photos of her son on stage, while his grandparents, visiting from Portugal for the holidays, sat smiling in the audience.<\/p>\n

Later, Branco would say about Sandoval\u2019s critique: \u201cEverything that he said was spot on. I really appreciated his feedback.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A
Senior Music Education major Ryan Branco, right, was the first Montclair student to play for the legendary Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, far left. He was accompanied on piano by Adjunct Music Professor Ron Levy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

John J. Cali School of Music Director Anthony Mazzocchi said he was pleased Sandoval accepted Montclair\u2019s invitation to work with students. \u201cThe goal of our Immersive Residency Program is to give students the opportunity to spend quality time with artists for numerous days in different settings, accompanied by a culminating performance together. They get to know each artist as a human; it opens their minds to possibilities for their future. It\u2019s also been transformative for each artist, as well, as many have never engaged in this way for this duration of time before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jazz Studies Coordinator Oscar Perez, who directed the Jazz Ensemble through their practice and performance with Sandoval, knows this first-hand. He fondly remembers playing piano for the legend when Sandoval visited his alma mater, the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. \u201cI\u2019ll never forget it, and hopefully that\u2019ll be the same for these students.\u201d<\/p>\n

Getting to perform with him at Montclair is \u201camazing,\u201d Perez said. \u201cArturo, he\u2019s transformative. He\u2019s speaking from years of experiences, speaking about his personal journey and how that affects his music. At the end of the day, he has a story, and he\u2019s encouraging these students to find their own stories in music, and this is going to be one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

At one point, Sandoval played a soulful, melodic solo on the piano to a rapt audience. He also played his closed hand, blowing into it and making it sound like a loud trumpet. Twice he broke into impromptu scat singing, prompting the music students to shake their heads in awe and admiration.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Grammy Award recipient gave a Master Class in music \u2013 and in life. He urged students to listen to singers and to explore and expand their knowledge of different genres of music \u2013 everything from bebop and classical to reggaeton. \u201cEvery musician, no matter what you play, must pay attention to a good singer,\u201d he said. He shared his joy when someone once self-identified as a \u201ctrumpet learner,\u201d and how he now refers to himself as such because there is always more to learn, he said.<\/p>\n

Sandoval told the students that there is no room for jealousy or envy of fellow musicians and instead urged them to approach their music with gratitude, something he practices daily, he said. \u201cWhen you are grateful, whatever you do, it\u2019s going to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A
Sophomore Jazz Studies major John Rivas plays for trumpet great Arturo Sandoval, who looks on approvingly.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One by one, three other student trumpet players took turns playing for Sandoval. John Rivas took deep breaths before launching into the trumpet excerpts \u2013 sans accompaniment \u2013 of \u201cA Night in Tunisia,\u201d a demanding jazz standard Sandoval has played for decades; it was written by his friend and mentor Dizzy Gillespie.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did an incredible job. It\u2019s so hard to play these kinds of things without band accompaniment,\u201d he said, urging Rivas to play a melody, explaining, \u201cWhen you play lead trumpet, you\u2019re the guy who leads the whole band.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sophomore Rivas, who plays both in the Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble, agreed with Sandoval\u2019s assessment: \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to improving those skills, especially with Arturo\u2019s critiques about learning melody. It\u2019s inspiring me to lean more into the jazz side of things because I come from a very heavy classical background.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A
Senior Music Performance major Bryce Grier plays a trumpet\u00a0 for Arturo Sandoval. He\u2019s accompanied on piano by Adjunct Music Professor Ron Levy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Senior Bryce Grier walked onstage with several instruments \u2013 a B-flat trumpet, a piccolo trumpet and a flugelhorn \u2013 to play the piano concerto \u201cRhapsody in Blue.\u201d Sandoval pronounced it \u201cbeautiful\u201d and complimented Grier\u2019s desire to challenge himself, noting that it\u2019s \u201cextremely difficult to switch between trumpets but we have to challenge ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grier said Sandoval\u2019s words about gratitude will stay with him. \u201cI don\u2019t take enough time to be appreciative,\u201d Grier said, \u201cso I could maybe be more thankful that I have the opportunity to go out and play and practice, and just do what I love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A
\u201cBeautiful, beautiful,\u201d Arturo Sandoval said of sophomore Jazz Studies major Dorian Wylde\u2019s trumpet playing before advising him to work on fundamentals and playing to the audience.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Student trumpeter Dorian Wylde walked onstage accompanied by several members of the Jazz Ensemble. As they played, Sandoval nodded and swayed to the music. When the song ended, the maestro smiled and clapped.<\/p>\n

He did, however, ask for \u201cmore cowbell.\u201d<\/p>\n

To all of the students in the audience, which included hundreds from 20 New Jersey high schools, Sandoval explained the there are three types of musicians: those who play music as a hobby, those who do it as professionals and those who spend hours practicing, who have passion, commitment, discipline and are dedicated to music. The latter, he said, \u201cplay and interpret and deliver a performance that causes people to say, \u2018Wow, he\u2019s not fooling around. He knows what he\u2019s doing.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

They could be in the latter group should they choose to, he said. \u201cYou can stand in front. It\u2019s up to you,\u201d he said. \u201cEverybody has some kind of talent but what you do with the talent God gave you, that\u2019s up to you. Practice and practice and practice, then practice a little more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sandoval\u2019s overall assessment of the Cali School\u2019s music education was succinct: \u201cGood program. Good teachers. Good students, and I really had a great time over here,\u201d he said, adding, \u201cWhen I see people who love music, I\u2019m so grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A
Arturo Sandoval was complimentary of senior Pierce Sparnroft\u2019s performance and passion on the vibraphone.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Though they didn\u2019t participate in the Master Class, two students earned the maestro\u2019s praise during a rehearsal with the Jazz Ensemble that followed the Master Class. Sandoval praised Jazz Studies senior Pierce Sparnroft\u2019s passion and performance on the vibraphone as \u201camazing.\u201d He also praised Jazz Studies senior Adrienne Bazile\u2019s trumpet solo, telling her, \u201cYou sound good on the trumpet.\u201d Later, Bazile said, \u201cI was in shock. I tend to talk down on myself a lot, so to hear him say that sounds good, it means a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sandoval\u2019s ongoing love affair with music was not lost on students. \u201cLike every great musician, Arturo has his own approach. He\u2019s a virtuoso. He can pick up anything and do anything with the same passion that he\u2019s done for 60 years,\u201d Grier said.<\/p>\n

Sophomore Jazz Studies major Wylde, who met Sandoval after seeing him perform at the Blue Note in Manhattan in August, said: \u201cIt was incredible seeing how strong he still is at his age.\u00a0I\u2019m so grateful to be in the presence of someone like him at a university where I\u2019m able to express my ideas and be able to share the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the evening, Sandoval joined Cali School Director Mazzocchi for a conversation that included an exploration of the musician\u2019s Cuban roots and an unexpected improvisation on the grand piano in\u00a0Leshowitz Recital Hall.<\/p>\n

\"Arturo
Master musician and legendary trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, left, discusses his life and career before an audience with Cali School of Music Director Anthony Mazzocchi.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sandoval praised the Cali School and its musical facilities. \u201cAs soon as I walked in here, I could breathe music, and I heard instruments, and I thought, \u2018Not everything is lost. We still have hope,\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need this kind of level all over the country because I think it was a terrible mistake to cut or eliminate the school of music in a lot of places in the United States,\u201d Sandoval said. \u201cMusic helps you and the way you think and the way you relate to or treat people.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the final day of his five-day residency, Sandoval returned to the Kasser Theater where he was joined by the University Wind Symphony for the Crawford Concert. In a rare collaboration, the orchestra was joined for two songs, including \u201cWeekend in Tunisia,\u201d by the Jazz Ensemble.<\/p>\n

And there was, indeed, more cowbell.<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"A
Cali\u2019s Oscar Perez conducts the Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble through a collaboration as Arturo Sandoval plays keyboard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A
Student trumpet player Adrienne Bazile plays a solo as Arturo Sandoval looks on favorably in the background.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Arturo
Arturo Sandoval\u2019s love of music was on full display during his residency at the Cali School. He told students to familiarize themselves with the piano. \u201cIt\u2019s the best musical instrument to help you understand music.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Audience
The capacity crowd enjoyed the Crawford Concert, which concluded Arturo Sandoval\u2019s residency.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Arturo
Arturo Sandoval gestures as he entertains the audience with some impromptu scatting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Story by Staff Writer\u00a0Sylvia A. Martinez<\/b><\/a>. Staff Writer\u00a0Marilyn Joyce Lehren<\/b><\/a>\u00a0contributed to this story. Photos by University Photographer\u00a0Mike Peters<\/b><\/a>\u00a0and John J. LaRosa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Montclair Cali School of Music students practice, learn and play with the Cuban jazz artist through Cali\u2019s Immersive Residency Program<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":189,"featured_media":214783,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-214778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214778","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/189"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=214778"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214778\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":214779,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214778\/revisions\/214779"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/214783"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=214778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=214778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=214778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}