They have been critically praised for their forward thinking vision in expanding the boundaries of the Latin jazz big band tradition.
His current release with his Multiverse Big Band, Vox Humana, has just been nominated for a 2024 Grammy for Best Latin Jazz recording.
(Mr. Sanabria) expands the possibilities, moving the sounds of bands like that of (Puente, Machito), with all the heft and intricacy and clave-based dance rhythm, into the harmonically oriented sophistication of current New York jazz players.
– Ben Ratliff, The New York Times[citation needed] The Wall Street Journal reviewer Will Friedwald wrote, "There's every reason to hope that Steven Spielberg's remake of West Side Story will improve upon the 1961 film, but I doubt if we'll ever hear a more thrilling interpretation of that immortal score than that of the Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band.
A native son of the South Bronx born to Puerto Rican parents, Bobby has performed and recorded with every major figure in the world of Latin jazz and salsa, from the founder of the Afro-Cuban/Latin jazz movement Mario Bauzá, to Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, Dizzy Gillespie, Chico O'Farrill, Ray Barretto, Candido, to Larry Harlow, Ruben Blades, Celia Cruz, and jazz luminaries as diverse as Henry Threadgill, Charles McPherson, Randy Brecker, Joe Chambers, Jean Lucien, The Mills Brothers, and others.
Partial proceeds from sales of this double CD set go to the Jazz Foundation of America's Puerto Rico Relief Fund for musicians.