ABOUT Samuel Torres
SESSION TITLE: Hands of Fire: Igniting Latin Percussion Dynamics and Control
Originally from Bogotá (Colombia), and based in Brooklyn, NY, Latin Grammy Award-winning percussionist and composer Samuel Torres thrives at the intersection of Afro-Latin rhythms, Latin jazz, and contemporary classical music. JazzTimes Magazine called him “…intelligent, sophisticated and explosive.”
Torres has performed, arranged, produced and/or recorded with the “who’s who” of the jazz, Latin pop and the salsa world, including such luminaries as Tito Puente, Arturo Sandoval, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Wynton Marsalis and the JALC Orchestra, Paquito D’Rivera, Yo-Yo Ma, Chick Corea, Alejandro Sanz, Ricky Martin, Richard Bona, Lila Downs, Angelique Kidjo, Marc Anthony, Rubén Blades, and his country’s own international superstar, Shakira.
He has been featured as a composer and soloist with classical orchestras such as Berlin Symphoniker, City of London Sinfonia, Bogotá Philharmonic, Medellín Philharmonic, Delaware University Orchestra, Berklee Composition Orchestra, Gainesville Chamber Orchestra, and the Cali Philharmonic.
Torres won the Latin Grammy Award for the Best Classical Record in 2019 with his album Regreso, a concerto for congas and symphony orchestra. He is a three-time recipient of the New Jazz Works Grant by Chamber Music America. Torres also received 2nd place at the Thelonious Monk Jazz Hand Percussion Competition in 2000.
Samuel Torres is an exceptional artist who has left an indelible mark on the international music scene. His virtuosity, versatility and creativity make him one of the most recognized percussionists and composers of his generation.
