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 Albert Torres Biography
Having
established a strong presence for producing and promoting International Latin
Entertainment events and concerts, Albert Torres has garnered an esteemed
reputation within the entertainment industry as the Bill Graham of Latin
Entertainment. Constantly looking to
break new ground and markets, Torres was the first promoter to risk controversy
and finances by bringing music artists from Cuba such as Salsa sensation group Los
Van Van to the United States for their very first show. Since then, Los Van Van has received
major media awareness with prestigious publications such as Los Angeles Times,
New York Times, among others and including the most coveted music honor, a
Grammy and Latin Grammy nomination.
Torres's passion and promotional skills has played a key role in the
U.S. Latin Entertainment explosion. Currently,
Albert Torres and his company Albert Torres Productions, Inc are in preparations to
present the 3rd Annual Salsa Congress again in Los Angeles. Last years Salsa Congress brought together
over 3500 hundred people from all over the world, which is why Torres has
appropriately entitled the Salsa Congress "Creating Unity Through
Salsa." Participants from China,
Japan, France, United Kingdom, Canada came to Los Angeles specifically to
attend this highly profiled four-day event of workshops, music and Salsa
dancing. Torres' company has taken
pride in producing the most successful Salsa Congress worldwide. Born in
Brooklyn, New York, Albert cites his mother Luisa, a regular patron at New
York’s Palladium Club during its heyday in the early 1950’s, as his inspiration
to dance. At the age of five Albert began his formal dance training. In later
years when his family moved from the United States to Puerto Rico and back, the
young dancer honed his salsa skills in the Latin clubs of both countries. In
1980 Albert moved to Los Angeles to pursue the growing Latin music scene. As
his dancing career flourished, Albert developed a keen understanding for the
business side of the industry. Founding Albert Torres Productions, Inc in 1994,
Albert’s hard work and determination has made him the most successful West
Coast promoter of Latin music and events, as well as a highly successful
choreographer, dance agent, and his company manages some of Los Angeles’
premier Latin talent. In 1996 Albert
received the Best Salsa Club Promoter of The Year Award for Latin Music from The
Latino Music Awards, acknowledging his success in bringing Salsa
dancing and music to clubs throughout the Los Angeles area. Albert Torres
Production’s Salsa Nights brings an ever-growing throng of patrons and
dancers to such clubs as The Hollywood Palladium, The Sportsmen’s Lodge, The El
Rey Theater, The Hollywood Athletic Club, and The Ash Grove. As Los
Angeles’ top Latin music promoter, Albert has brought to the city such
important artists as the legendary Cuban bands Los Van Van, NG La
Banda, Orchestra Aragon, and Fania, as well as Grammy
award-winners Eddie Palmieri and Larry Harlow and The Latin Legends. Albert produced the first three El
Dia de San Juan Festivals, opening the Ford Theater’s Summer Nights
Season and performing himself to rave reviews from such industry benchmarks as The
Hollywood Reporter. Albert’s rise
to success began when actor Armand Assante spotted him dancing at a salsa club.
Impressed by his skills, Assante offered Albert a dance role in the feature
film Mambo
Kings, starring Antonio Banderas. Soon other roles followed including Out
to Sea, starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. In Dance with Me, starring Vanessa
Williams and Chayanne, Albert appeared as a principal dancer while working as
the film’s assistant choreographer. Albert has
appeared on such television shows as NYPD Blue, Brotherly Love, The
Home and Family Show with Christina Ferrare, and Dance for Life. Other TV credits include performing with
Jennifer Lopez on The Keenan Ivory
Wayans Show, and in 1997, Albert worked as the choreographer and music
consultant for the network pilot Xuca. Albert’s strong TV persona provided him with the opportunity to
host the weekly talk show Salsa Express. Albert applied his innate charm in
interviewing established and up and coming Latin musicians, actors, and
dancers. Considered by
his peers to also be a dance historian, Albert has dedicated his life to the
celebration and performance of Latin and Afro-Caribbean music and dance. Albert
views his performances in such high profile events as The 1993 Academy Awards
and the Dance Kaleidoscope Program as “…tremendous opportunities to
share the music and dance of my people with the world.” Albert regularly
devotes his time and efforts to arts education programs including Share
the World, L.A. Salsa Kids, Childrens Life Saving Foundation,
and The
Wellness Community. In 1996,
Albert received The City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Certificate of Appreciation for
his time and effort in organizing and choreographing the family cultural arts
festival El Baile de Los Ninos. Held annually at the John Muir
Elementary School in Santa Monica, El Baile de Los Ninos brings the
community of several hundred families together to enjoy an afternoon of Caribbean and
Latin American entertainment, music, dance, arts and crafts, and cuisine.
Albert states that he produces the event “…to pass the rhythm of our beautiful music
to the children so that they may pass it on to theirs.” As a dance
agent and a consultant-in-choreography to over 100 adult and child professional
and amateur dancers, Albert has worked on prestigious national commercial
campaigns for Coca Cola and Miller Brewing and produced special
events for Macy’s and The Getty Museum. With the
continued success of Albert Torres Productions, Inc, Albert’s dream of bringing the
best of salsa music to the community of Los Angeles has become a reality. ### |
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