Sounds Visual Radio Presents: How Deep Is Your Crate Episode 50 w/ Samuel Torres

Sounds Visual Radio

Sounds Visual Radio Presents: How Deep Is Your Crate Episode 50 w/ Samuel Torres

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On this episode of episode of the Sounds Visual Radio spinoff series How Deep is Your Crate, percussionst / composer Samuel Torres phoned in to talk about his newest album A Dance for Birds, and shares some of his favorite LP’s by artists including Ray Barretto, Irakere, Jerry González, and Darcy James Argue.

A Dance for Birds is a nine movement suite composed by Samuel Torres played by his latin chamber ensemble featuring the Bergamot String Quartet. The album tells a story of migration with the congas (the bird) as the narrator. This work brings Afro-Latin rhythms, jazz and classical music together, defying musical stereotypes and expanding the horizons of chamber music. A Dance for Birds was commissioned by Chamber Music America through the New Jazz Works Grant and premiered at Lincoln Center on September 28th 2023. A Dance for Birds pays homage to Cuban rumba, American Jazz, Colombia’s Currulao and Cumbia, and contemporary classical music. It fosters a dialogue between the congas and the chamber ensemble, representing the shared African heritage between the Americas while dancing with European traditions. The piece is a reflection on traditions and cultural celebrations, emphasizing the strength derived from unity and collaborative expression while expanding into new musical landscapes.

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, based in Brooklyn, NY, celebrated Latin Grammy Award-winningpercussionist and composerSamuel Torres thrives at the intersection of Afro-Latin rhythms, Latin jazz,and contemporary classical music. Torres has performed, composed, arranged, produced and/orrecorded with such luminaries asTito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, Yo-YoMa, Chick Corea, Lila Downs, Angelique Kidjo, Marc Anthony, Rubén Blades, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Bridget Kibbey, 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 and Bogotá Philharmonic.