Samuel Torres Salsa Orchestra | Tribute to Ray Barretto | 50th Birthday Celebration
Led by percussionist and composer Samuel Torres, this evening celebrates his 50th birthday with the Samuel Torres Salsa Orchestra in a tribute to legendary percussionist Ray Barretto. A night of powerful salsa, Afro-Latin rhythms, and celebration honoring one of Latin music’s most influential icons.
Featuring:
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Anthony Almonte – Voz
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Mauro Torres – Voz
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Arturo Ortiz – Piano
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Alex “Apolo” Ayala – Bass
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Carly Maldonado – Timbal
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Jhair Sala – Bongo
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Itai Kriss – Flute
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Juanga Lakunsa – Trombone
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Xito Lovel l – Trombone
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Alejandro Berti – Trumpet
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Sam Hoyt – Trumpet
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Samuel Torres – Congas and Band Leader
About Samuel Torres:
Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, and based in Brooklyn, NY, celebrated Latin Grammy Award-winning percussionist and composer Samuel Torres thrives at the intersection of Afro-Latin rhythms, Latin jazz, and contemporary classical music. “…intelligent, sophisticated, and explosive.” – JazzTimes Magazine.
Torres has performed, arranged, produced, and recorded with the “who’s who” of the jazz, Latin pop, and classical world, including luminaries such as Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, Yo-Yo Ma, Chick Corea, Alejandro Sanz, Ricky Martin, Don Byron, Richard Bona, Arturo Sandoval, Lila Downs, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Angelique Kidjo, Marc Anthony, Rubén Blades, Fonseca, Andrés Cepeda, Thalía, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Bridget Kibbey, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Nashville Symphony, as well as his country’s own international superstar, Shakira. He has been featured as a composer and soloist with classical orchestras, including 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 Best Classical Record with his album ‘Regreso,’ a concerto for congas and symphony orchestra in 2019. He is a three-time recipient of the New Jazz Works Grant by Chamber Music America. Torres received 2nd place at the Thelonious Monk Jazz Hand Percussion Competition in 2000. In 2023, he earned his master’s degree in classical composition from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, where he was honored with the Nicolas Flagello Award for his outstanding achievements as a composer.