Formed on October 28th, 1980 in Amsterdam, NY. Led by the Bronx-born
bassist Alex Torres, this 13 piece orchestra play over 100 shows per year
performing popular Afro-Caribbean rhythms such as Salsa, Merengue,
Cha-cha, Bomba, Plena and Latin Jazz.
They have been the recipients of numerous awards including the Albany -
Schenectady League of Arts Award, The Governor´s Excellence in Arts Award,
The NAACP Albany Chapter Award, Metroland Magazine´s "Best Of Award" for
seven consecutive years, New York State Music Achievement Award and the
New England Cultural Arts Preservation Award.
Alex Torres & His Latin Orch. have performed for President and Hillary
Clinton at the New York State Democratic Convention and also for New York
Governor George Pataki´s Inauguration. They have also shared the stage
with notables Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Los Hermanos Moreno, Arturo
Sandoval, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, Ray Barretto, Jane Burnette & The Spirits
Of Havana, Larry Harlowe, Tito Nieves, Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache
Band , King Changa, The Count Basie and Woodie Herman Orchestras.
The band is also registered with the Arts-In-Education Program in New
York State. This program consists of band members going to schools to
showcase and explain the music, instruments and rhythms associated with
their music.
Several of the band´s songs have reached high rankings on some radio
stations including "Descarga Para Tito Puente" which held the number four
slot for 2 months on WFDU in New York. Their music is also on rotation on
the DMX Channel and Music Choice Channel.
Alex Torres & His Latin Orch. also recorded the music and taped a full
length television commercial for The Albany Times Union Newspaper and they
wrote and performed the music for the PBS weekly program "Just Down The
Road."
Their discography consists of eight albums ;
1995 - Noche Habanera
1996 - On Track
1997 - Somethin´Diferente
1999 - Entre Amigos
2000 - Elementos
2002 - Punto De Vista
2003 - Mega Merengue Mix Y Mucho Mas
2005 - 25 To Life
Members
Alex Torres - Band Leader, Bass, Vocals
Nicholas Lue - Assistant Director, Piano, Vocals
Sammy Negron - Lead Vocalist
Jimmy Fontañez - Bongo, Tambora, Vocals
Todd Fabozzi - Congas
Roberto Dueño - Timbales
Angel "Sweet Pea" Dueño - Guiro, Guira, Maracas, Vocals
Jon Bronk - Trumpet
Terry Gordon - Trumpet
Fred Young - Trumpet
Brian Patneaude - Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Ken Olsen - Trombone
William Cruz - Coro
