Today is the birthday of Arturo O'Farrill.
Over the last three decades, O'Farrill has emerged as one of the most important large-ensemble composers of his generation, helping redefine what Afro Latin music can be. The son of legendary composer Chico O'Farrill, Arturo came up playing with figures as diverse as Carla Bley and Harry Belafonte before founding the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, an ensemble that has become a cornerstone of New York's musical life.
Along the way he's won multiple Grammys, mentored generations of young musicians, raised a family of artists, including his sons, composers and instrumentalists Adam O'Farrill and Zack O'Farrill, and helped create Casa Belongo, a cultural center dedicated to music, education, and community.
Many years into a distinguished career, Arturo O'Farrill is unquestionably one of the most influential voices in American music today. His peers speak of an innate musical gift, an almost intuitive understanding of composition and improvisation.
Which is why, when I spoke with him for The Third Story podcast, I was surprised to learn that he still wrestles with something familiar to so many creative people: the feeling that he's making it all up as he goes along.
Listen to my full Third Story Podcast conversation with Arturo here.
