[from the news collective Belly Of The Beast]

Arturo O’Farrill is a Grammy-winning pianist, composer and one of the most influential voices in Afro-Cuban jazz. But for him, Cuba is more than just an inspiration — it’s home, history and identity.

In Havana, during the 41st International Jazz Plaza Festival, Arturo told us why jazz cannot be understood without Cuba, why Afro-Cuban roots remain central to the music’s evolution, and why cultural exchange persists despite the United States’ decades-long economic war on Cuba.

Arturo has been returning to Cuba year after year for over two decades, honoring his heritage, and using music as a bridge between Cuban and U.S. citizens - despite the personal cost of taking political positions.

“This is Cuba,” he says. “I come here to learn how to live.”

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