For your Latin Grammy® Consideration
"La Rumba de Sandokan"
Best Roots Soong / Mejor Canción de Raíces
"La Rumba de Sandokan"
Best Roots Soong / Mejor Canción de Raíces
“La Rumba de Sandokan” is a musical journey where the Indian sitar and Afro-Cuban percussion meet in a ritual of sound. It tells the story of Sandokan, a literary rebel who leaves behind privilege and homeland to reach Miami, seeking to dance rumba in the city’s multicultural heartbeat. This musical offering honors those who pursue their dreams with courage and resolve.
Rooted in tradition yet unbound by borders, the track features sitar, African udu, flute, and Latin American percussion. Each note is a respectful nod to cultural heritage brought to life through a spirit of collaboration with incredible musicians: Arsenio Diaz, Lenia Diaz, Eduardo Rodriguez, Omar Hernandez, Manuel Clua, Michael Gil, and Gonzalo Teran.
“La Rumba de Sandokan” has been recently announced as a finalist in the prestigious 2025 InterContinental Music Awards (ICMA), an international competition that recognizes outstanding musical talent from across the globe!
The InterContinental Music Awards celebrates musicians from every continent and all genres, promoting peace, unity, and cultural diversity while providing professional recognition and growth opportunities.
After earning a degree in Music and Classical Guitar, Arsenio Diaz embarked on a transformative journey through the intricate world of the sitar. Immersing himself in its mysteries, he uncovered a powerful artistic voice rooted in ethno-convergence and cultural storytelling.
Blending the meditative sonorities of the sitar with the rich melodic and rhythmic traditions of Afro-Cuban music, Arsenio creates a cross-cultural soundscape that transcends borders. His music is not just fusion, it is a dialogue between traditions, a call to preserve cultural heritage while reimagining its possibilities.
Every composition is an invitation: to feel the pulse of Afro-Cuban rhythms meeting the mysticism of Eastern melodies, to witness traditions intertwine with reverence and innovation. With each performance, Arsenio builds bridges between worlds, connecting people through the universal language of music.