LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Arturo O'Farrill upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of a Grammy Award by the National Academy
of Recording Arts and Sciences

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those illustri-
ous individuals who seek to preserve and celebrate the musical heritage
of our State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in keeping with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Arturo O'Farrill upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Grammy Award by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences at
the 57th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, on Sunday, February 8, 2015; and
WHEREAS, The Grammy Awards are presented by the National Academy of
Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstand-
ing achievement in the music industry; and
WHEREAS, Afro-Latin Jazz composer and bandleader Arturo O'Farrill, is
a two-time Latin Grammy Award winner; and
WHEREAS, Arturo O'Farrill's first album with Motema Music, THE OFFENSE
OF THE DRUM, won in the Best Latin Jazz category; the album is unique
since it represents a departure from typical Latin jazz, it is pan-Amer-
ican and contemporary, it even includes the first recorded example of
reggaeton jazz; in addition, it incorporates hip-hop, DJ techniques, and
the spoken word; and
WHEREAS, THE OFFENSE OF THE DRUM also features 37 types of percussion
to explore new territories for Afro Latin jazz, some of which include
the taiko drum from Japan, djembe from Africa, barriles and bombas from
Puerto Rico, tumbadoras from Cuba, bombas from Columbia, cajones, mara-
cas, bongos, shekeres, claves, cowbells, cuicas, tambourines, timbales,
and turntables; and
WHEREAS, This prize winning recording is a celebration of difference,
innovation, and the human spirit; Arturo O'Farrill is excited the album
found mainstream acceptance and was embraced in a manner which states
that art matters more than comfort and commerce; and
WHEREAS, An accomplished pianist, Arturo O'Farrill is the son of
legendary Cuban composer the late Chico O'Farrill; with his Afro-Latin
Jazz Orchestra, Arturo O'Farrill received the 2008 Latin Grammy in the
Best Jazz Album for SONG FOR CHICO, a tribute to his father's legacy;
and
WHEREAS, In November of 2014, Arturo O'Farrill won another Latin Gram-
my for FINAL NIGHT AT BIRDLAND, an album he recorded in 2011 with his
father's Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra, celebrating the band's final
performance after 15 years of residence at the famous Broadway venue;
and
WHEREAS, An educator at heart, in 2007, Arturo O'Farrill established
the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, as a new institutional support for his
orchestra, as well as to promote that genre of music through a compre-
hensive array of performance and educational programs; and
WHEREAS, In the fall of 2014, Arturo O'Farrill joined the faculty of
the Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music as Director of the jazz
ensembles; and
WHEREAS, Individuals who provide a means of displaying the rich tapes-
try of American music and who contribute to the community in such noble
endeavors as aforementioned, are held in the highest regard by this
Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Arturo O'Farrill upon the occasion of his designation as recipient

of a Grammy Award by the National Academy of Recording Arts and
Sciences; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Arturo O'Farrill.