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Nestor Torres

Nestor Torres - flute, composer, recording artist, bandleader

Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Latin jazz flutist Nestor Torres took an early interest in music, following the lead of his father, who played the piano and vibes. Torres started playing the drums at age 5 but became interested in the flute which he started studying at age 12 at The Free Music School. Torres later claimed that after hearing the famous American jazz flautist Hubert Laws, “...he changed my Life forever”.

Torres went to major in music education at the Inter-American University in nearby San German then moved to New York City with his family when he was 18 years old. There he studied classic and jazz music at Mannes School of Music, graduating in 1977.

While attending school, he also played in many New York City salsa bands in Latin dance clubs, where he learned to play Cuban dance music style known as “Charanga” style. He also came to appreciate the versatility of the flute for many different music styles, including Latin Jazz. He continued playing the New York clubs, perfecting his craft, while studying at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He learned the classical technique for playing the flute, but also experimented with Latin influences that would ultimately lay the foundation of his unique musical style.

Torres moved on to Miami, Florida in 1981 and signed with Polygram records in 1989. His first album, “Morning Ride,” was released the very next year and made it to the top ten of the contemporary jazz charts.

With the release of his second album, “Dance of the Phoenix,” (1991) he also toured Africa and Japan and worked with other artists including Tito Puente, Herbie Hancock, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades, and the New World Symphony. During the next few years, Torres teamed up with the famous Cuban bassist, Cachao with whom he played at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, Washington, DC, and on the David Letterman show. He played with Gloria Estefan at the Grammy Awards ceremony in 1994, the same year he released his first album for Sony Latin Jazz: “Burning Whispers.”

Torres followed with “Talk to Me,” released in 1996 and “Treasures of the Heart,” in 1999, on the Shanachie label. That album included the song “Luna Latina” which exemplifies how Torres blends jazz and Latin influences. Although Torres was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award in 2000, losing to Carlos Santana, he won the award the next year for Best Latin Pop Instrumental album: “This Side of Paradise.” Torres next released “Mi Alma Latina” in 2002, which included interpretations classic compositions made famous by artists such as Tito Puente, Gato Barbieri, Gloria Estefan, Mongo Santamaria, and others such as “Smooth,” a top hit by Carlos Santana.

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Album Review

Albare: Plays Jobim Vol. 2

Read "Plays Jobim Vol. 2" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki


"I was 14 when I first heard the music of Tom Jobim," recalls Albare, nom de guerre of guitarist Albert Dadon. “I already had six years of guitar learning under my belt. When I first heard those bossa chords, my ears were opened in a whole new way. A musical seed was planted in my brain that would never leave me." Plays Jobim Vol. 2 continues the story from Volume 1, released in May 2020, and polishes many ...

5
Album Review

Mike Levine: Just Chillin

Read "Just Chillin" reviewed by Edward Blanco


A proponent of the more relaxing side of the jazz spectrum, pianist and keyboardist Mike Levine presents his fourth album as leader, offering thirteen primarily original pieces falling decidedly within the smooth jazz category. A talented composer, Levine's music seems to eschew the core jazz tenet of improvisation in favor of catchy melodies perfect for those chilling-out moments that overwhelm us all sooner or later. A first-call musician by anyone's count, Levine draws on his vast experience performing ...

7
Album Review

Albare: Plays Jobim Vol. 2

Read "Plays Jobim Vol. 2" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Albare Plays Jobim, Vol. 2 by Moroccan-born, Israeli-raised guitarist Albare (the only name given) isn't quite what it seems. While the names of the musicians and guest artists are listed on the jacket, what is not addressed is the presence of a string orchestra, the only suggestion of which is pianist Joe Chindamo's designation as “orchestra conductor." That's it. Perhaps, however, that is for the best, as the unnamed orchestra is recorded at arm's length and serves essentially as a ...

1
Live Review

The Latin Jazz All Stars at Dazzle

Read "The Latin Jazz All Stars at Dazzle" reviewed by Geoff Anderson


Latin Jazz All Stars Dazzle Denver, CO January 10, 2019 The All Stars came to town Thursday night and lived up to their name. The Latin Jazz All Stars is an amalgam that periodically organizes and tours with a fluctuating cast of players. A similar conglomeration came through the Denver area almost exactly six years ago. Like Thursday night's group, that band was a sextet and half of the 2013 band returned this year ...

6
Album Review

Nestor Torres: Jazz Flute Traditions

Read "Jazz Flute Traditions" reviewed by Roger Farbey


Born in Puerto Rico in 1957, Néstor Torres began learning the flute at the age of 12. Moving with his family to New York when he was 18, he studied jazz and classical music at the Mannes College of Music in New York and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Following in the wake of over fifteen albums, including the Grammy and Latin Grammy-nominated Nouveau Latino, released in 2008, Jazz Flute Traditions is an homage to early pioneers ...

238
Album Review

Nestor Torres: Dances, Prayers & Meditations for Peace

Read "Dances, Prayers & Meditations for Peace" reviewed by Woodrow Wilkins


Normally when I review an album that's mostly devoid of a session drummer, I get on a soapbox about how bland the programming is or how the music would be better if acoustic drums and cymbals were used instead of synths. Not so with Nestor Torres' Dances, Prayers & Meditations for Peace. It's not that Carlo Pennisi's programming, cleverly labeled as “production, breaks any molds. The difference here is that Torres' songwriting and performance are interesting enough to overcome the ...

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Recording

Flautist Nestor Torres - New Release January 17th 'Thank You Willie' Latin Grammy Award Winner And Multi-Grammy Nominee!

Flautist Nestor Torres - New Release January 17th 'Thank You Willie' Latin Grammy Award Winner And Multi-Grammy Nominee!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

Standing on the shoulders of flute giants from worlds as diverse as Rampal & Galway in Classical Music; Richard Egues’ Cuban Charanga style; rocker Ian Anderson’s Jethro Tull; Herbie Mann and—most influential of all—Hubert Laws as pioneers of Jazz Flute, Latin Grammy Award winning Nestor Torres’ rhythmic and mellifluous flute sound remains apart in a class all by itself. Nestor's 18 recordings as a soloist; four Latin Grammy nominations, one Grammy nomination and one Latin Grammy Award; collaborations with diverse ...

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Performance / Tour

Nestor Torres Brings Post-New Age Enchantment to Los Gatos

Nestor Torres Brings Post-New Age Enchantment to Los Gatos

Source: All About Jazz

Jazz on the Plazz will host its second annual “Legendary Evening," an elegant fundraising gala featuring a personal appearance and special performance by Latin GRAMMY award winner and internationally renowned jazz flautist Nestor Torres. Mr. Torres will appear in Los Gatos between two legs of his European tour for this one-time event. Proceeds to benefit: Jazz on the Plazz, The Museums of Los Gatos: Art and History and “The Venue" A Place for Teens. When: Tuesday, August 19, ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Payin’ My Dues

Self Produced
2023

buy

Plays Jobim Vol. 2

Alfi Records
2021

buy

Just Chillin

Self Produced
2021

buy

Dances, Prayers &...

Heads Up International
2006

buy

Thank You, Willie

From: Thank You, Willie
By Nestor Torres

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