New York, April 27, 2018.The Cuban diplomatic representation to the United Nations at New York hosted yesterday evening a well-deserved tribute to the talented pianist, composer and director Arturo O'Farrill who, at the most recent GRAMMY awards ceremony held last January, won his fourth prize, in the category of "Best Instrumental Composition", for the original piece "Three Revolutions," from his latest work "Familia: Tribute to Bebo + Chico", an album released in September 2017 in honor of his father and Chucho Valdés’ father.
With the presence of several Cuban artists participating in the Festival “Adelante Cuba!” currently being held in Manhattan, representatives of the diplomatic corps, officials of the United Nations Secretariat and members of the great family of Latin jazz in New York, O'Farrill and his band received a well-deserved recognition for the award he won, as well as for his work and musical contributions to Latin jazz.
This tribute to O'Farrill, held also in the framework of the International Jazz Day, became a joyful Cuban party, in which the talented musician and his band performed several pieces that were enjoyed and danced by the audience.
Arturo is in himself an expression of unity among the peoples of our Continent because he is the son of Cuba, Mexico and New York. He is also the son of the best Latin music and jazz; his father, Chico O'Farrill, was a renowned jazz trompet player.
After becoming an extraordinary pianist, the most important jazz venues, first in New York and then throughout the United States, witnessed what would later become a genuine musical phenomenon. Famous jazz ensembles such as the bands of Carla Bley, Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Bowie and Harry Belafonte knew of his passion for music. They had an undoubted influence on him and served as a source for Arturo's subsequent outstanding contributions to Latin jazz.
Arturo, with his Afro-Cuban Jazz creation, was able to synthesize the wide range of Cuban, Caribbean, Southern and Central American musical sounds, bringing them closer to the best North American jazz and blues, to blend them with the rhythmic polychromy of our African roots.
But Arturo is also great because he is bringing that passion for jazz to new generations of musicians in New York. The “Afro Latin Jazz Academy of Music”, founded by him, is recognized as a prestigious learning center dedicated to providing instrument and ensemble instruction to committed students, through a year-long residency programs.
Today, Arturo O’Farril is a successful jazzman, whose musical and academic career will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year 2019; a multi-award winning artist, with seven GRAMMY nominations and four awards; recognized in the most important jazz scenarios all over the world and, most importantly, a person who is capable of transmitting sensitivity, humanism and friendship through his music.
Thank you, Arturo, for your music; thank you for giving us the privilege of having you among our friends; and thank you for defending and promoting the musical and cultural values of our homeland, Cuba!
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.