Saxophonist, Music Producer, Composer and Arranger, Sandy Gabriel is the winner of numerous awards in his native Dominican Republic.
He began his musical studies at age 14 with his father, Dominican Socrates Gabriel, himself a saxophonist and director of the famous merengue band The Combo Candela. He attended numerous jazz workshops with leading players including Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, Paquito D’Rivera and many more.
Sandy Gabriel plays Alto, Tenor & Soprano Saxes, the Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI), Flute and synthesizer. He is considered today among the most talented saxophonists of his generation in the fields of Jazz, Pop and World Music.
Gabriel started his own group in the early 90s, the “Puerto Plata Jazz Ensemble”. As musical director of the group Gabriel composes most of the music and over the time the group has developed its own unique style including elements of Fusion, Funk and Latin jazz. The current line-up of the band includes Jairo Milanes-Keyboards, Daniel Alvarez-Bass, Alvarez Hisdras -Drums and Joel Guzman-Percussions
Gabriel has performed with many major international Jazz artists including Arturo Sandoval, Giovanni Hidalgo, Paquito D’Rivera, Michel Camilo, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Nestor Torres, Dave Valentine, Ivan Lins, Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin. He has also represented the Dominican Republic and participated in numerous International Jazz Festivals.
Sandy Gabriel’s latest recordings include the new album by Juan Luis Guerra “A Son De Guerra” on which he recorded all saxophones.
He just released his first musical production entitled “JAZZEANDO” which has already been nominated for several awards.
