NESTOR TORRES

“There is nobody else like him.” – Roger Ebert

Simply put, no one plays the flute quite like Nestor Torres.  Drawing on his classical training (he studied at the Mannes School of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music) and his inspiration from Latin, jazz and R&B, Torres has literally transformed the flute’s role in the contemporary musical landscape.  

Torres developed his unique style while playing in Latin dance clubs, a scene in which he mingled with the likes of Ray Barretto and Eddie Palmieri.  He credits his sense of melody and timing from those years of playing Cuban dance music, or charanga:  “In charanga, the flutist improvises a great deal – the focus of his solos is to make people dance,” he says.  “When I play today, my approach is still very rhythmic and melodic.”  

In 1989, Torres released his debut album, “Morning Ride,” which climbed to the top of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts.  And the hits kept coming.  His composition “Luna Latina” was nominated for a Latin GRAMMY in 2000, and in 2001 he won a Latin GRAMMY for “This Side of Paradise.”  His CD, “Nouveau Latino,” which pays tribute to the New York Salsa scene from the 60s-80s, was nominated for a Latin GRAMMY in 2009.  

Torres has become a renowned headliner in the contemporary jazz scene, and has also shared the stage with jazz giants like Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter and Latin music icons Tito Puente and Gloria Estefan.  His energetic, electrifying mix of Latin, jazz and R&B will take you on a thrilling ride!

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