Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval was one of the key figures in the popularization of Afro-Cuban jazz. He became known worldwide through his performances with the Cuban jazz ensemble Irakere, before going solo in the early '80s. A decade later, Sandoval made news by defecting to the U.S., where he started a new phase of his career, leading various bands and engaging in collaborations with numerous pop artists as well. Sandoval has always been skilled in classical music as well as jazz, and his incredible virtuosity and unique sensibility bespeak an enormously well-rounded musician.