Album Notes

Formed October 1980 in Amsterdam, NY, this 11 piece orchestra is led by the Bronx-born bassist Alex Torres. They have been presented by hundreds of festivals, performing arts centers and events annually to perform their original blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms such as Salsa, Merengue, Cha-cha, Bomba, Plena and Latin Jazz.

The Orchestra has been the recipient of numerous awards including the New England Cultural Arts Preservation Award, the New York State Music Achievement Award, the Schenectady League of Arts Award, The Governor´s Excellence in Arts Award, The NAACP Albany Chapter Award and Metroland Magazine´s “Best Of Award” for seven consecutive years.

Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra have performed for President Bill and Hillary Clinton at the New York State Democratic Convention and also for New York Governor's George Pataki and Eliot Spitzer's Inauguration. They have shared the stage and billings with such major acts as Tito Puente, Tito Puente Jr., Eddie Palmieri, Andy Montañez, Los Hermanos Moreno, Arturo Sandoval, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Ray Barretto, Jane Burnette & The Spirits Of Havana, Larry Harlowe, Tito Nieves, Jerry Gónzalez & The Fort Apache Band, King Changó, Branford Marsalis, The Count Basie and Woody Herman Orchestras.

The group is also registered with the Arts-In-Education Program of New York State. This program brings the orchestra into schools to showcase and explain the music, instruments and rhythms associated with their music.

Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra also have been featured on television commercials for The Albany Times Union Newspaper, they wrote and performed the music for the PBS weekly program Made in New York, and twice performed for Time Warner’s music series, Sounding Board.