While living in his native Cuba, Sandoval was influenced by jazz musicians Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, and Dizzy Gillespie.

In 1977 he met Gillespie, who became his friend and mentor and helped him defect from Cuba while on tour with the United Nation Orchestra.

His life was the subject of the film For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story (2000) starring Andy García.

During a tour with this group, Sandoval visited the American Embassy in Athens, Greece, accompanied by Gillespie who helped him with his plan to defect from Cuba.

[3] In 2014, Sandoval performed at Eastman Theatre with Zane Musa, Dave Siegel, Teymur Phel, Johnny Friday, and Armando Arce.

[7] His song "A Mis Abuelos" (To My Grandparents) received Grammy Award nominations for Best Instrumental Composition and Best Arrangement.