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 Read Quote
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 Read Quote
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 Read Quote
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 Read Quote
I grew up in an environment with virtually no Hispanics where you see only people in your culture in custodial jobs. I had a messed up image of what we bring to this nation. My father was known as a pioneering figure in Cuban music, but I still associated him with everything that was negative in my neighborhood. I could not have been more mistaken. Arturo O'Farrill Read Quote
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 Read Quote
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 Read Quote
Ray Santos is one of my personal heroes. I model my life on people like him. Arturo O'Farrill Read Quote
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 Read Quote
