Participant: Orlando Sanchez Soto [Cubajazz] (saxophone, Cuba)

Originally I graduated from the Institute of Arts in Cuba and got a diploma of Bachelor of Clarinet in 1987. I was an Assistant Professor from 1990-2003 in this Institute. I am a multi-instrumentalist (piano, saxophone, clarinet), Founder of the Jazz Plaza Festival, Chairman of the Competition Jury of JoJazz Festival in several editions, director, composer, arranger with more than 30 years of artistic experience. As a composer I have more than 100 registered works, many collaborations and several discs. My hobbies are studying of music, culture, history, traveling with my music around the world. I came to the art of improvisation in young age. I have been influenced by John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, Joseph Zawinull, Clare Fischer, McCoy Tyner, That Jones, Rob McConnell, Gino Vanelly, Gary Thomas and many others. Jazz is my genre. I am the author of Harmonic System Complementary or Cubajazz Book, edited by the prestigious German publisher Advance Music.