Samuel Torres percussionist/composer

SAMUEL TORRES
Percussionist, Composer, Arranger
www.samueltorres.com
SamuelTorres
Percussionist
B orn
in Bogotá, Colombia, Samuel graduated in Music Composition from
Universidad Javeriana. He started playing at age twelve and recalls learning a
great deal from in-home jam sessions with friends of his musically inclined
grand parents and relatives and began playing around with different bands in
his hometown.
Composer
Although a classically trained percussionist, Samuel was drawn by the sound and
rhythms of different styles, especially Latinamerican and jazz. In 1998 he
traveled to the United States, where he was contracted with Grammy Award
Winner Arturo Sandoval with whom he toured throughout the world for four
years.
Upon his arrival to the US Samuel has played with renowned jazz artists such as
the late Tito Puente, Chick Corea,
Corea, Poncho Sanchez, Pete Escovedo,
Escovedo, Dave
Valentin,
Valentin, Michael Brecker,
Brecker, Don Byron and Claudio Roditi amongst other.
Arranger
He has also performed as a guest of the Florida International University’s big
band, the 4th of July Esplanade 2000 with the Boston Pops, 2000, Singapore Arts
Festival, the “5 de Mayo” Celebration 2001 with the Nashville Symphony, the
Hollywood Bowl Latin Festival 2001 with the L.A. Philharmonic, 2001 Newport
Jazz Festival in Madarao, Japan and many more.
Samuel’s stellar playing landed him the Second Place at the 2000 Thelonious
Monk International Jazz Competition for Hand Percussion.
Percussion
Producer
He creates beautiful, yet challenging music designed to appeal to the
discriminating listener. With artfully, dynamic and relaxed chops that match
speed with precision, the Boston Globe describes his playing: “a
a ferocious
conga solo by Samuel Torres that seemed not humanly possible”
possible”.
Samuel moved to New York in late 2002, where he is gaining recognition and
respect in the most competitive musical settings while continues performing in
leading venues and festivals throughout the world.
Phone/fax:1 (718) 539-0856
Mobile:1 (718) 909-6720
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.samueltorres.com
Latin Percussion, Inc., the renowned percussion builder appointed him as the
leader, composer, producer, of “Drum Solos Revisited” a DVD targeted to those
interested in learning and/or improving their technique and soloist/
improvisational skills. Founder of LP, Martin Cohen claims that “he had not
met an arranger/producer so talented in over 25 years”
years”.
In 2004 Samuel Torres began working with the exceptionally gifted bassist,
Richard Bona,
Bona again demonstrating his commitment to taking his talent to all
areas of music.
Accolades
…”a
…”a keen-eared, light-handed percussionist [who] can draw
a rainbow of intriguing sounds”
sounds”. The Washington Post.
…”a
…”a ferocious conga solo by Samuel Torres that seemed not
humanly possible". The Boston Globe.
…”he
…”he had not met an arranger/producer so talented in over
25 years”
years”. Martin Cohen, Latin Percussion Founder.
”Samuel “Pepito”
Pepito” Torres is a wonderful young musician, a
great future maestro and playing with him has been a
blessing to me. His playing is full of joy and that’
that’s what
music is all about". Richard Bona
“I have worked with Samuel Torres and found his
musicianship to be very personal, yet virtuosic and highly
informed. He has written and recorded music for his project
that is inventive, lyrical and important work. He is a special
artist.”
artist.” Jeff “Tain” Watts, renowned jazz drummer.
…”artfully
…”artfully accompanying Sandoval's pianistic excursions”
excursions”.
The Philadelphia Inquirer.
"What a fantastic study tool for congueros,
congueros, timbaleros and
bongoceros.
bongoceros. One of the best instructional DVDs I have
seen. Highly recommended". about "Drum Solos Revisited",
music composed, produced and arranged by Samuel Torres.
Descarga.com
... "quien asombro a todos por su destreza en el manejo de
las maracas al estilo de los ritmos y mú
músicos de los grandes
llanos ganaderos de Colombia y Venezuela. El pú
público le
brindó
brindó una ovació
ovación a este joven percusionista de Bogotá
Bogotá,
Colombia". Elmer Gonzales, EL VOCERO, Puerto Rico.
... "the percussionist Samuel Torres who did things with the
maraca and congas that were the best I have heard. He
accompanied Sandoval alone on the piano using only
maraca. His four conga solo was fluid and built inward and
out to all four drums easily". SagaZ.com
Phone / Fax: 1 (718) 539-0856 Mobile: 1 (718) 909-6720
[email protected] - [email protected] - www.samueltorres.com
2005- 2006 Performing as a band leader with the Samuel Torres Group in
different NYC Area Jazz clubs and performances in the Colombia
Jazz Festivals NET and Puerto Rico’s Universidad Interamericana.
Performances
2004-2006 Member of African singer-bassist Richard Bona Group.
Group Tours
throughout West Central Africa, Caribbean Islands, East and
Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Korea.
2000-2004 Recording and touring percussionist to multi-award winner Cuban
trumpet player Arturo Sandoval.
Sandoval Tours throughout the USA,
Japan, Latin America and Caribbean.
2000-2004 Performances with several symphonic orchestras as guest
percussionist, including: Boston Pops, Los Angeles
Philharmonic, Cincinnati Pops, Colorado Symphony,
Oregon Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Wisconsin
Symphony, Florida Philharmonic, National Symphony
Orchestra, Orquesta de Sinaloa-Mexico
Sinaloa-Mexico.
2003-2004 Latin percussionist to Don Byron’
Byron’s Music for Six Musicians.
Musicians.
2004
Percussionist to Flamenco guitarist Romero.
2004
Percussionist to John Benitez and his band, NYC, JVC Jazz
Festival.
2003
Invited soloist to the Feria De Cali celebration in NJ, along with
Larry Harlow.
Harlow.
2003-2004 Percussionist to The Rodriguez Brothers , NYC, JVC Jazz
Festival, Iceland Jazz Festival.
2003-2004 Percussionist to Pianist Hector Martignon & Foreign Affair.
Affair
Concerts in NYC and Colombia Jazz Festivals Net.
2004
Featured percussionist, composer and band conductor for The
Latin Percussion All Stars,
Stars featuring Giovanni Hidalgo .
2003-2004 Percussionist to Harpist Edmar Castaneda,
Castaneda featuring Paquito D’
Rivera.
2002
Invited Percussionist to the Florida International University Big
Band featuring Michael Brecker.
Brecker
2000
Conga Player in the Jam Miami Big Band, featuring Chick Corea,
Corea,
Dave Valentin,
Valentin, Steve Turre,
Turre, Arturo Sandoval, Willie
Chirino,
Chirino, and Debbie Allen.
1999
Conga player to Willie Chirino’
Chirino’s Zarabanda.
Zarabanda.
1998
Conga player, band leader, arranger for “Los Boxeadores de la
Salsa”, featured band in Colombian soap opera “Perro Amor”
Amor”
1996-1998 Percussionist to Alfredo de la Fe and his band.
1991-1995 Performances with several salsa, jazz and funk bands around
Bogotá (Colombia).
Phone / Fax: 1 (718) 539-0856 Mobile: 1 (718) 909-6720
[email protected] - [email protected] - www.samueltorres.com
Recording
Experience
2005
2004
2004
2004
2005
2003
2003
2003
2002
2002
2001
2001
2001
2001
2000
2000
2000
2000.
2000
1999
1998
1998
1995
1995
Debut recording “Skin Tones”
Tones”, to be released in 2005.
Producer, Composer, Arranger,
Pianist and Percussinistonist.
Promotional DVD “LPMania” for Latin Percussion.
Percussionist, Composer,
Programming, Producer.
Debut recording for Madagascar singer Razia Zaid
Percussionist.
Mark Soskin’
Soskin’s “Yuming Project”
Project” to be released in Japan.
Percussionist.
Hernan Romero’
Romero’s “Duende”
Duende”
Percussionist
“Drum Solos Revisited”
Revisited”. DVD for Latin Percussion, released by
Warner Bros.
Producer, Composer, Arranger,
featured Soloist.
Mike Campagna’
Campagna’s debut record, featuring drummer Ari Hoenig.
Percussionist.
Marc Anthony’
Anthony’s “Amar sin Mentiras”
Mentiras”
(2005 Grammy Award Winner)
Percussionist.
Pati Manterola’
Manterola’ “Que el Ritmo no Pare“
Pare“
Percussionist.
Thalia “Thalia – Tu y Yo”
Yo”.
Percussionist.
Arthur Hanlon’
Hanlon’s “El Piano Amarillo”
Amarillo”
Percussionist, Co-producer, Arranger &
Programming.
Olga Guillot’
Guillot’s “Faltaba Yo “
Percussionist, Arranger.
Arturo Sandoval’
Sandoval’s “My Passion for the Piano”
Piano”
Percussionist.
Frankie V’
V’s “Smooth Ride”
Ride
Percussionist.
HBO’
HBO’s Emmy Award “For Love or Country”
Country” soundtrack
Percussionist, Pre-production assistant.
Debbie Allen’
Allen’s “Soul possessed”
possessed” Soundtrack
Percussionist.
HBO’
HBO’s “For Love or Country-The movie”
movie”
Featured percussionist
“Jam Miami”
Miami” Chick Corea, Arturo Sandoval, Pete Escovedo
Percussionist.
Noelia’
Noelia’s “Golpeando Fuerte”
Fuerte”
Percussionist, Programming.
“Lolita”
Lolita” Soundtrack
Percussionist, Arranger, co-producer.
“Perro Amor”
Amor” Soundtrack. Colombia Soap Opera
Percussionist, Pianist, Arranger
and co-producer.
“Golpe De Estadio”
Estadio” Soundtrack. Colombian Film. Dir Sergio Cabrera
Percussionist, Arranger, Orchestra
conductor, co-producer.
Shakira’
Shakira’s Platinum selling record “Piez Delcalzos”
Delcalzos”
Percussionist.
Edy Martinez’
Martinez’ “Privilegio”
Privilegio”. First Latin Jazz Record entirely
produced in Colombia
Percussionist
Phone / Fax: 1 (718) 539-0856 Mobile: 1 (718) 909-6720
[email protected] - [email protected] - www.samueltorres.com
Awards
Festivals and
Venues
Venue
2002
2000
1998
Scholarship Granted by the New England Conservatory.
Second Place, Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition.
“Premio Simon Bolivar To The Best Soap Opera Soundtrack
“Perro Amor”. Arranger, Co-producer.
Jazz festivals worldwide including: Newport Jazz Festival in Madarao-Japan,
Montreal Jazz Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, North Sea
Jazz Festival, JVC Jazz Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival, Dominican Republic Jazz
Festival, La Villete (Paris) Jazz Festival, Warsaw Jazz Festival, Nice Jazz Festival,
Marciac Jazz Festival, WOMAD Festival , Concord Jazz Festival, Senegal Jazz
Festival, Puerto Rico Festival de Jazz y Galeria, San Javier Jazz (Spain),
Singapore Arts Festival, Moscow Jazz Festival, Festival Jazz Al Parque.
Different jazz clubs and concert halls including: Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln
Center, L’Olympia in Paris, Blue Note NYC and Japan, Yoshi’s Jazz Club, Seattle’s
Jazz Alley, Hollywood Bowl, Boston 4th of July Esplanade, Iridium Jazz Club.
.2000-2006
Academic
Experience
1996-2005
1980–1993
Education
1991–1993
1994–1998
Percussion and Ensemble master classes:
Iceland Music School (Reyjkiavic),
Winston-Salem School for the Arts (US)
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
University of Miami.
Universidad Javeriana
Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan(P.R.)
Private teacher for several years.
Composition teacher, Universidad Javeriana, Bogota-Colombia
Liceo de Cervantes (Bogota, Colombia)
Primary and Secondary (high school)
Universidad Javeriana (Bogota, Colombia)
Juvenile music program.
Universidad Javeriana (Bogota, Colombia).
Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition.
Phone / Fax: 1 (718) 539-0856 Mobile: 1 (718) 909-6720
[email protected] - [email protected] - www.samueltorres.com
Contact
Telephone / Fax: 1 (718) 539-0856
Mobile: 1 (718) 909-6720
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.samueltorres.com