Arturo Sandoval

Cuba is best-known for its beautiful beaches, extravagant cigars, and bearded despots. It also happens to be the birthplace of the finest trumpeter in the world. Although Arturo Sandoval hasn't called Cuba home in nearly 15 years, he's done his heritage proud, winning four Grammys and six Billboard awards. Whether playing classical music, scat-singing, or blazing through Afro-Cuban rhythms, Sandoval is a musician with unlimited imagination. In the mid-'80s, he began to feel the cold hands of Communist oppression squeezing his creativity, which eventually led to his family's defection to the United States. Now a proud Floridian, Sandoval is still busy touring and doing what he does best -- blowing his horn.

Arturo Sandoval will blow minds Sunday, December 12, at the Florida Atlantic University Auditorium, 777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton. Tickets are $35 to $60. Call 561-297-3737.