By Isiah REYES

Arturo Sandoval returns to the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale for a one night only performance of “Save The Music 3” on April 11 at 8 p.m. Members of the Arturo Sandoval band as well as a few celebrity friends will join him on stage, all inspired by the same jazz, Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms the artist is known for. At the top of the show, 19 members of the ASI All Star Youth Jazz Band, including eight students from Hoover, CV and Glendale high schools, will join Sandoval on the Alex Theatre stage for a once in-a-lifetime performance.

“Glendale Arts is pleased to have Arturo Sandoval back at the Alex Theatre for a third year,” stated Elissa Glickman, CEO of Glendale Arts, the management company of the Alex Theatre. “Arturo is an extraordinary talent with an even bigger heart. He’s often said that music saved his life and he plays that horn as if his life still depends on it. Now, he plays for a grander cause, educating and inspiring our future musicians, and Glendale Arts is honored to be along for this ride!”

Sandoval, a protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie, was born on the outskirts of Havana, Cuba and began studying classical trumpet at the age of 12. Today, he is one of the most dynamic and vivacious live performers of our time, and has been seen by millions at the Oscars performing with Celine Dion, at the Grammy Awards with Justin Timberlake as well as on the Billboard Awards with Alicia Keys. Sandoval has been awarded six Grammy Awards, and nominated 17 times; he has also received six Billboard Awards and one Emmy Award, the latter for his composing work on the entire underscore of the HBO movie based on his life, “For Love or Country” starring Andy Garcia.

In 2012, Sandoval launched the Arturo Sandoval Institute (ASI) to educate, support and inspire music students to continue music education without regard to their economic circumstances. In the last year, ASI donated a trombone to the Glendale Unified School District and six trumpets to low-income musicians as well as an iPad for a student with special needs and underwrote three All Star Youth Jazz Band performances at the Alex Theatre.

“We feel enormous pride and joy doing the work of ASI and preserving music education in our schools,” said Mercy Velazquez, volunteer CEO of the Arturo Sandoval Institute.

Proceeds from the event will benefit ASI and Glendale Arts. Glendale Arts, the management company of the Alex Theatre, will use the funds to underwrite its newly launched Tickets For Kids program that provides tickets to students to attend performances at the Alex Theatre free of charge.

Tickets are $25 for balcony seats. Students can get in at a discounted price of $10 plus fees (balcony only). Terrance seating is $57.50 to $67.50 and orchestra seating ranges from $57.50 to $67.50 to $85. VIP orchestra seats are $250, which includes an invitation to attend two private receptions. The pre-show reception begins at 6 p.m. at Gauchos Bar & Grill and post-show artist Meet & Greet in the Alexander Terrace.

The show will run for one hour and 30 minutes with an intermission. Photo and video recording is not allowed.

The Alex Theatre is located at 216 N. Brand Blvd. in Glendale.

  Isiah REYES