Kai Sandoval

Kai Sandoval completed his Master’s in jazz studies at the New England Conservatory as one of two recipients of the Presidential Scholarship in 2015. In Spring of 2012, he completed his B.M. at the conservatory with the aid of a full-tuition scholarship. In early 2017, Sandoval left his full performance schedule in Boston to make the leap to New York City where he has since integrated into a thriving network of like-minded professionals.

As an educator, Sandoval's best assets are his intuitive understanding of the subtle mechanics of his instrument, which comes from years of tinkering and learning to listen deeply. He has also studied with the best: Bryan Davis, Ralph Alessi, John McNeil, Laurie Frink, Luis Bonilla, Arturo Sandoval, Jerry Bergonzi, Wayne Bergeron, Steve Emery, Wayne Naus, and Tiger Okoshi.

Sandoval has performed with well known artists such as Arturo o’ Farrill, Donny McCaslin (Black Star Band), Valery Ponomarev, Clem Curtis, Randy Weston, Miguel Zenon's Quartet, Bum Soo Kim (first K-pop singer at Carnegie Hall), Jason Moran's "Band Wagon", Michael Davis, Rick Baptist, Jiggs Whigham, Sal Lozano, Arturo Sandoval, John Clayton, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, The Wayne Shorter Quartet, Tiger Okoshi, Wycliffe Gordon, Don Byron, and Bob Brookmeyer.

Sandoval performs in an array of settings including lead playing, Jazz improvisation, Hiphop/Funk horn sections, Salsa, Afrobeat, Top 40, Musical theatre, Balkan brass bands, Klezmer, and Classical.