It has been a few years since the name of Eduardo Sandoval has been present in multiple musical productions. In his role as a trombonist, he has left his mark in several occasions working with bands like: Van Van, Buena Fe, Alain Pérez, and OmaraPortuondo, that is to mention only a few of them. His ability to embrace different genres and styles shows the wide musical and performing possibilities that he has, and the devotion he shows to those he works with.

To this day, Sandoval has two CDs among his musical productions that include songs by himself, having Jazz as a common factor, and of course, the trombone as the protagonist. That is exactly what he has put his efforts on. On defending and making the trombone a central instrument, and showing its wide possibilities for artistic expression.

I find this preface indispensable for making the reader aware that we are not talking about just any trombonist.

In 2019, the MartíTheatre was holding the Alain Pérez Concert, which included Eduardo Sandoval, something we can today find as a video in DVD form, produced by the EGREM. His second musical production MásTrombónqueNunca (More Trombone than Ever) which is included in this DVD, constitutesalong with other songs belonging to amore popular and famous repertoire, a proof of the versatility of the young musician. For us who were able to be there that night at the Martí Theatre, the most amazing moment was without doubt, the performance of the last songs of the concert, an arrangement done for the trombone where more than twenty trombonists, young and old, participated. They produced a well-pitched fusion that widened the musical spectrum to most of the audience.

This event set the foundations for Sandoval to present his Trombone Concert this 2020, again at the Martí Theatre, returning to his tendency of showing this instrument’s multiple forms and possibilities of expression.

Duets, quartets, sextets, in Jazz format, assembly, and even a huge trombone orchestra formed by almost 50 trombonists, some of them no older than 13 and others who already show gray hair. It was the big event of the night. Different age and gender groups, with different styles, desires, and knowledge flowed together to achieve the wanted effect. The Cuban school of trombone is a reality and its results could be appreciated in this concert on both sides; those who receive the knowledge, and those who teach it. It is a nice intersection that which Sandoval achieves from the musical conception of his concert once again, and in such a great manner, what could also be said about his magnificent performance.

Eduardo Sandoval has always showed, during his career, his desire to upgrade the knowledge and performing level in the trombone, and I think he is walking the right path in that respect. With elegant and virtuous melodies, he reveals a style in the trombone that is each time more “his”.

Still, having a long way ahead of him, Sandoval takes us in the same way he named his first musical production “through open roads”. Roads like those he walks with his trombone, every day stepping stronger in Cuban music.

On video the Alain Perez Concert present Eduardo Sandoval:

Translated by Armando Hernández Vizoso