WILLY TORRES

 SALSA SINGER

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Originally created and produced by Grammy winning vocalists Willy Torres of the world renowned "Spanish Harlem Orchestra" and one of the worlds best DJ's Henry Knowles, Willy's NYC Salsa Project was born on September 2007. The concept is very simple, a six piece band with the sound and elegant sophistication of a big orchestra. A very unique sound when it pertains to Salsa, Latin Jazz, Traditional Fajardeños and Tropical Pop. The band is led by Willy Torres wich applies his duties as: Percussionist, Vocalist, Composer, Arranger and Musical Director. Along with Torres the other side of the percussion and vocals are complimented by his mentor and one of the best musicians Robert "Bobby" Allende. On Bass The NYC Salsa Project is proud to present Nelson Torres (Compose/Arranger) and master of his own style and interpretation when it pertains to Latin Music. The Piano accompaniment is led by Arranger/Composer/Piano Virtuoso Desmar Guevara who also arranges for the band. On Baritone Sax/Flute and Tenor Sax they have the great styles of Jorge Castro, an amazing Jazz/Latin Jazz musician Arranger/Composer. Castro has also composed and Arranged a Latin Jazz Instrumental in the bands first CD recording. Last but not least on Trombone and Vocal, Willy's NYC Salsa Project is proud to present Ron Prokopez. A New Yorker with Latin American roots who with his unique styles bring out the fire on every Moña and the elegance of a real Trombone sound. Although Prokopez is very young he has an ability to express a virtuoso sound and interpretation of this music. All these amazing musicians make the magic to Willy's NYC Salsa Project and I assure you, its a sound you will never forget. Look out for this six piece ensemble, their intention is to play music that only others can dream of.

WILLY'S NYC SALSA PROJECT - LO QUE TRAIGO YO (CD-2008)

many thanks to KATE SMITH PROMOTIONS

Recensione di Roberto Rabbi

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels

ABOUT WILLY TORRES:

Willy Torres was born in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, on December 31, 1975. Growing up on his grandfather’s farm, he was exposed not only to rigors rural life, but also to the Campesino or Jibaro music of Puerto Rico. Willy grew up in a musical household (both parents were professional musicians), and began singing at the age of four. Influenced by his father, renowned percussionist William Maisonet ( A/K/A Papo Conga) who performed with Merengue icons Wilfrido Vargas and Freddy Kenton, Willy began playing Congas at the age of seven. His mother Doris, sang with local trios, and even recorded a few Boleros with an independent label. At the age of 10(ten) Willy began formal vocal studies with Linda Yaber, and Thelma Ithier. It was only natural that Willy quickly developed a keen ear, a natural affinity for percussion, as well as a deep love for music of Puerto Rico.

When his parent’s family relocated to New York City in the mid 80’s, Willy began playing alto sax in high school concert, and jazz bands. He also performed at many neighborhood events with Los Hermanos Torres, an ensemble that was led by his uncle, bassist Nelson Torres. His vocal talents soon caught the ear of Salsa artist Larry Harlow, of Fania All-stars fame, who quickly recruited a then 16-year-old Willy Torres as a member of the Latin Legends Orchestra. And so it was that Willy went from singing at church socials in the Bronx, to sharing the stage with the likes of Larry Harlow, Adalberto Santiago, Ray Barreto, Yomo Toro, Junior Gonzalez, and Salvador Cuevas, in front of a crowd of 50,000 in Lima, Peru. When time permitted Willy also sang with Johnny Ray “Salsa Con Clase”, and Conjunto Imagen with whom he also occasionally played piano.

In 1993 Willy was invited to join the orchestra of Sony recording artist Victor Manuelle. It was a difficult decision, because of all that Willy had going on in New York, and joining Victor’s band would mean relocating back to Puerto Rico, Willy accepted the offer and was soon touring the world as back-up singer for Victor Manuelle. In 1998 when Victor’s band was on hiatus, Willy began performing with Rey Ruiz, and occasionally Carlos Ponce. Although he had successfully established himself in Puerto Rico, in the winter of ’98 Willy decided to return to New York.

Upon arriving in the Big Apple, Willy once again began performing with the Latin Legends, as well as singing backup for Johnny Rivera, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ruben Blades, Michael Stuart, Obie Bermudez, Willie Colón, D’Mingo, Brenda K Star, Pedro Jesus, Jerry Rivera, Miles Peña, Tito Gomez, and Yomo Toro. He also became the musical director for Joe King, and Rey Ruiz. Willy’s professionalism and knack for creating vocal arrangements on the spot, have made him a regular on the New York Latin session scene. He has recorded background vocals for Rey Ruiz, Tito Nieves, , Alexandre Pires, Ricardo Montaner, Christian Castro, Andy & Lucas, Son Callejero, D’Mingo, Yadira Coradin, Luis Damon, and George Lamond, Ricky Martin to name a few.

In 2003, distinguished pianist/arranger/producer Oscar Hernandez, who had long been aware of his talent and versatility, called Willy to sub on a few concert dates with the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Impressed by Willy’s vocals and command of the stage, Oscar asked Willy to join the group permanently. On the Spanish Harlem release, Across 110th Street and United We Swing Willy shares the lead vocal duties with band-mates Marcos Bermudez and Ray De La Paz, as well as with the legendary Ruben Blades and Paul Simon.

Although he plans to continue touring and recording with the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Willy continues to be active on the session, not just as a vocalist, but also an arranger and producer. He has arranged and produced projects for Yadira Coradin, Wilfredo Vargas, Krystal Joan, Son De Madre, Richard Rosario, Isabel Martinez, and Kathy Christina. In 2004 Willy released his first instructional video distributed by Hal Leonard Publications “ Singing Salsa with Willy Torres”. In addition, he co-produced the instructional video “Modern Conga Techniques” featuring world-renowned percussionist Roberto Quintero in 2005 and Oscar Hernandez’s Salsa Piano in 2007, and is currently working on a book on singing and Latin vocal styles.

Willy is one of the featured singers for the “Paul Simon” Capeman Music that was performed in the Brooklyn Academy Of Music in April 2008, along with artist like Obie Bermudez, Frankie Negron, Claudette Sierra, Jorge Maldonado, Ray De La Paz, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Alkebulan to name a few.

ABOUT BOBBY ALLENDE:

Born and raised in New York City, Bobby's foundation in Afro-Cuban Percussion commenced at the age of three. With the patient and constant guidance of his Uncles Angel Allende and Papiro Allende (well-respected musicians) Bobby embarked on a journey that has taken him around the world twice over. His dedication to his craft and spirited personality has earned him the respect of some of the top names in the industry and the endorsements of Latin Percussion, Vic Firth, Zildjian and many others.

His performances with Buddy Rich on the Mike Douglas Show (age 7) and with Julio Iglesias at Madison Square Garden (age 10) helped open the doors of opportunity. At a performance at Madison Square Garden the legendary Tito Puente invited Bobby to perform alongside him. Thus, the formation of the juvenile group the "Rumberito All Stars" was born. The group continued to be the opening act for Tito Puente through 1980 and allowed Bobby to refine his craft under the supervision of a legend.

Bobby moved on to work with and tour with many other Latin musicians such as Hector Lavoe, Jose Alberto "El Canario", RMM All Stars and Ruben Blades among an extensive list of many others. Later, he became the Musical Director for Willie Colon, Marc Anthony and La India.

Bobby's expertise does not only limit him to the Latin Music Industry but has given him the opportunity to work with the likes of David Byrne, Grover Washington, Jr., Rodney Jones, Spyro Gyra and Marion Meadows.

His versatility with Latin rhythms did not escape the sights of Paul Simon and earned him a place in the orchestra for the Broadway musical "The Capeman." It also afforded him the opportunity to continue his working relationship with Salsa/Pop performer Marc Anthony. Bobby is currently the Musical Director for Tito Nieves and Co-Director for the “8 Y MAS” Band

Bobby is frequently called upon as a Musical Consultant to audition and hire musicians, rehearse and create set lists for new artists. His strong musical background and almost 30 years in the entertainment business have successfully allowed him a natural progression into this role.

ABOUT DESMAR GUEVARA

(Founder, Composer, Arranger, Pianist and Musical Director)

Born on December 21, 1969 in Santurce and growing up in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. Desmar Guevara Santiago is a first-rate multi-instrumentalist, Music Educator, Musical Director and Founder of genre-busting jazz ensemble Taller Sicá.

Desmar’s first musical encounter was when he was 6 years old. His Father gave him a Plena hand drum set so he could play with his friends and Make little money playing in the neighborhood. Then he started playing Violin under the tutelage of Guillermo Figueroa and Piano with Alfonso Fuentes in the Escuela Libre de Musica, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico where he graduate on 1987. In 1987 he attended Berklee College of Music where he studied Jazz Composition and Arrangement under the tutelage of Ken Pulling and Greg Hopkins. During his Boston years He also took private piano lessons with Grammy Nominee and world-renown Pianist Danilo Perez; and in New York he studied Jazz Arrangement with Ray Santos. Guevara has over 20 years of experience in live performance and is active in both concert and studio circuits. He has composed jingles for national-level accounts and has performed and toured extensively throughout Europe and Latin America, as lead pianist, with legendary artists Pleneros De la 21, Song by Four, Celia Cruz, Tito Nieves, Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, Louie Ramirez, Paquito Guzman, Andy Montañez, Conjunto Clasico, Alfredo De La Fe, Ray De La Paz, Ismael Miranda, Luigie Texidor, Justo Betancourt, Soledad Bravo, Lalo Rodriguez, Herman Oliveras, Franky Morales, Franky Vazquez, Domingo Quinones, Papo Pepin, Afromantra, Jose Alberto“El Canario”, Cano Estremera, Hector Tricoche, and Xiomara Fortuna, among many others.

In addition, Mr. Guevara is the Musical Director of the Award-winning Bronx based theater ensemble, Pregones Theater. With Pregones Mr. Guevara has also toured extensively in the United States, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and South America. He has been pivotal in developing an original musical theater repertory that employs traditional Afro Puerto Rican instruments in unfamiliar and highly stylized settings. He is recipient of a 2002 National Theater Artist Residency Program Award from the Theater Communications Group and the Pew Charitable Trusts, a 2003 BRIO Award in Composition from the Bronx Council on The Arts, and a 2004 “Individual Artist Fellow” recipient from the New York Foundation for the Arts. Mr. Guevara is currently a teaching artist with the Multi Cultural Music Group, a music/art residency program that utilizes top tier musicians to teach music in New York Public schools. He was also a founding member of the bomba and plena group Viento De Agua, which in 1999 released its first CD, “De Puerto Rico al Mundo” and was hailed by The New York Times as one the top ten albums of that year. Also Desmar has done many workshops on Musical Theater, Bomba, Plena and Jazz among other styles, through out the United States, Europe and Latin America.

ABOUT NELSON TORRES:

Born in Trujillo Alto Puerto Rico, Nelson Torres began his music studies at the age of 12. After a few years he changed his interests from guitar to the Acoustic Bass/Electric Bass/Baby Bass and began doing gigs all over the island with local bands and making a name for him self. After a while he developed an appetite for Composing and Arranging and that was when the fun began. Torres immediately formed his own orchestra and started re-arranging cover songs in his style and adding original material of witch he was very proud of.

Today, Torres is residing in the New York State area and is currently producing records not only for his personal projects but also for up and coming independent artist. Torres has also toured with artist like: Pedro Jesus, Wayne Gorbea, Orquesta Decision and La Majestad to Name a few.

ABOUT JORGE CASTRO:

A native of Humacao, Puerto Rico, Jorge Castro studied saxophone at the famed Escuela Libre de Musica; an institution that boasts distinguished alumnus throughout the musical world. Later Jorge started listening and exploring jazz as a student in Northern Illinois University. So far, in his career, Jorge has performed and/or recorded with a diverse array of artists and groups including: The Latin Jazz All-Stars, Steve Turre, Hilton Ruiz, Dave Valentin, Eddie Palmieri, Timbalaye, Bobby Sanabria Big Band, The Latin Giants of Jazz, Giovanni Hidalgo, Havana, Taller Sica, Tito Puente Jr., Jimmy Bosch, The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra, Afromantra, Multicultural Music Group, Andy Montanez, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Victor Manuelle, Huey Dunbar, Jerry Rivera, among others. Jorge has also performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, Santa Rosa Symphony Orchestra, Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, and the Denver Symphony Orchestra. Jorge frequently works with Pregones Theatre Company on plays presented throughout the United States and internationally: El Bolero Fue Mi Ruina, El Apagon, The Beep and Baile Cangrejero.

ABOUT RON PROKOPEZ:

who was born and raised in Washington Heights, New York began his professional musical career at the early age of 14. He started playing his trombone in various clubs in and around the New York City area. It wasn't long before he started to create a buzz for himself with his hard hitting passionate trombone solos. Soon after, he began performing, traveling and recording with many different artists and bands including, but not limited to, Dave Santiago and the Latin Affair, Herman Olivera, La Excelencia, Beanie Segal, Tito Rojas, Micheal Stewart, The Topaz Orchestra, Son de Cali, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, System Band, The Element Band, Brenda K. Starr, Paquito Guzman, Ruff Ryders, Welfare Poets, Frankie Negron, Speedo and the Cadillac's, Tito Puente Jr, The Gene Cooper Band and Rocafeller Records. Ron has also had the opportunity to perform on various stages around the world including Japan, France, Italy, Norway, Canada and Holland. Back home in the U.S., Ron has performed at major musical events at Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Monterey Jazz Festival and the New Orleans Jazz Fest. to name a few. Ron has also made T.V. appearances on various network news broadcasting channels and the popular soap opera "One Life to Live". After graduating from La Guardia High School for Professional Performing Arts in New York, Ron began taking Mambo dance classes at Piel Canela New York Latin Dance & Music School under the direction of Joe Burgos at the age of 18. Within three months, he was invited to join the Piel Canela Dance Company. He also studied under the Mambo dance king himself Eddie Torres. As a result, Ron began grooming and creating his own style of Mambo dancing by combining it with the various dance styles of Hip-Hop's popping and locking, Michael Jackson and the late James Brown. Ron's innovative style has allowed him the opportunity to dance on numerous stages around the world including Lincoln Center's Mid-Summer Nights Swing, New York Salsa Congress, Norway Salsa Congress, New York's South Street Seaport, the Puerto Rican 116th Festival, Copacabana Club, New Orleans Jazz Festival and the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City. In 2005, Ron started teaching Mambo dance classes at Purchase College and is currently teaching at "The Loft Dance Studio" in Yonkers, N.Y. Ron has expanded his performance career as an artist to become a triple threat. He is currently one of the lead singers of "The Element Band", a high energy rollercoaster of a show fusing jazz, latin, funk, afrocuban and Hip-Hop while incorporating complex dance steps with soulful horn parts. Ron is currently touring with The Element Band.