Arturo O’Farrill is One of the Godfathers of Latin Music in New York [Video]

Arturo O’Farrill is arguably New York City’s most important Latin jazz musician. It’s not just because of his talent, wealth, fame, or Grammy wins. He has plenty of all that, but because Arturo gives the most back to the community. He is a champion of our people.

Maestro O’Farrill is the founder of Belongó (formerly the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance), New York City’s most important Latin jazz organization. It preserves, teaches, and promotes Latin jazz traditions. The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra keeps the Latin big band format alive on Sunday nights at Birdland. His father Chico O’Farrill started that gig more than 20 years ago. As the Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra was Jazz at Lincoln Center’s original orchestra. Arturo’s children are also talented musicians. O’Farrill excels at connecting jazz to its deepest roots in the Caribbean, Latin America, Mother Africa, and even Arabia.

[Arturo, I haven’t forgotten you scolding me for saying another artist …