Arturo Sandoval, Jazz Alley, Seattle October 26, 2025

For cryin’ out loud. Those who know know. Brilliant show last night at Jazz Alley from the remarkable Arturo Sandoval with Will Brahm (guitar), Lisandro Pidre (piano), Michael Tucker (tenor sax), Keith Fiala (trumpet), Larry Bustamante (baritone saxophone), Maximilian Gerl (bass), Samuel Torres (percussion) and Daniel Feldman (drums).

ARTURO opened with a brief, high energy cumbia, then took us on a multi genre roller coaster ride through bebop, ballads and originals performing on trumpet, keyboard, piano and timbales. There is, simply put, nobody like him with his rare combination of musicianship, showmanship, honesty, humor and humanity.

He opened up the show to requests, and after an audience member asked for some “Miles Davis” Sandoval did not mince words. While acknowledging his contributions, Sandoval, who met Davis on several occasions, said he “didn’t like him,” and he was not much of a person.  He then went on to take us to bebop school, displaying his undying admiration for his mentor Dizzy Gillespie, for Clarke Terry, and for Charlie Parker. 

Other highlights for me were the band’s smoking take on the classic “Cherokee,” and Sandoval’s sensitive and gently swinging performance at the piano with bass and drums in the classic jazz trio setting. 

Jazz Alley is a great venue. Excellent food, sound and ambience.  The only room in Los Angeles that comes close to it is Herb Albert’s Vibrato, which is also beautifully designed for live music but, unlike Jazz Alley,  is often not a listening room.