Dear Diz

Although there has always been a breath of Dizzy in Arturos work, this is the first time that such a direct loving tribute has been made. Dizzy, who was a longtime proponent of Afro-Cuban music, has been referred to as a type of "spiritual father" by Sandoval. When the two great trumpet players met in Cuba in 1977, Dizzy was playing impromptu gigs in the Caribbean with Stan Getz. Because of Cuba's political situation, the country had been isolated from American musicians for nearly 20 years when Dizzy visited. Arturo took Gillespie around when he wanted to hear the music of the black neighborhoods where musicians play guaguanco (a popular style of rumba) in the street. In subsequent years, Dizzy was instrumental in helping Arturo into this country with a call to the President. Much of this is told in the 2000 TV biopic FOR LOVE OR COUNTRY: THE Arturo Sandoval STORY (Arturo played by Andy Garcia).