Sam Torres

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, 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/or recorded with the “who’s who” of the jazz, Latin pop and the classical world, including such luminaries 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, and his country’s own international superstar, Shakira. He has been featured as a composer and soloist with classical orchestras such as 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 the 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.

Education background: Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá – Colombia), Manhattan School of Music

Professional career: Latin Grammy Winner for best Classical Album 2019

Teaching background:

Guest Teaching Artist at Music Schools like Berklee, MSM, The New School, Beijing Conservatory, Rotterdam Conservatory, Berlin Jazz School, Delaware University. Percussion Teacher from grades K4-8 Avenues the World School

Teaching at the Collective Global Vision since: 2022