Nestor Torres “Havana & Buenos Aires”

Presented by The Lyric Theatre & The Arts Council of Martin County

Returning to The Lyric Theatre this season is the Grammy-winning contemporary master of the flute, Nestor Torres. A multi-talented musician whose influences range from jazz, to classical, to Latin genres, Torres has amazed audiences since the 1980s with his infectious melodies and powerful talent. This season at The Lyric, Nestor Torres will explore the music of Latin America, with a unique performance that brings the sounds of Havana and Buenos Aires to Martin County.

Nestor Torres was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, where he developed a passion for the flute at the age of 12. After moving to New York City as a teenager, Torres quickly demonstrated his talents, attending the Mannes School of Music and, eventually, the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. In 1981, Nestor Torres moved to Miami where he began to incorporate his classical teaching with the passionate and rhythmic sounds of the South Florida music scene. Torres began to improvise using a Cuban Dance style called “Charanga” and soon the flautist began playing with some of the best local Cuban and Latin dance artists including Ray Barretto, Eddie Palmieri, and Celia Cruz.

Nestor Torres has continued making waves in the music industry, touring all around the world, performing with artists including Ricky Martin, Tito Puente, and Gloria Estefan. Over his career, Nestor has recorded a total of 14 solo recordings, including Treasure of My Heart and My Latin Soul, which were both nominated for a Latin Grammy. His album, This Side of Paradise, won the Latin Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental on September 11th, 2001. His latest album, Nouveau Latino, released in 2008, was hailed by critics as a refreshing return to the musician’s roots, featuring lots of new improvisational approaches to Latin classics by artists such as Celia Cruz and Ruben Blades.

In addition to his dedication to music, Nestor Torres has also dedicated his life to promoting peace and education around the world. Nestor has received two honorary degrees from Barry University and Carlos Albizu University for his commitment to youth education and cultural exchanges in the Miami area and for his role as an Ambassador of Peace and Culture. Torres had the honor of representing the International Committee of Artists for Peace, performing at the opening ceremony of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons in Oslo, Norway, a summit attended by over 500 participants from more than 70 countries. Locally, Nestor developed the Nestor Torres Foundation, an organization designed to inspire social change through music, discussion, and education in the South Florida community. In 2012, Nestor Torres worked with the Education Foundation of Martin County, conducting Master Classes for the most talented high school musicians in the area. These Master Classes culminated in a rousing Lyric Theater concert featuring Torres himself and his class pupils.