Please tell us, just to get to know you better, where you were born and where you worked before becoming a producer.
I was born in Brooklyn, New York. I've always danced, first I used to dance disco and do hustle dances. Before becoming a producer I managed 50 beds in a hospital, helping people with drug, alcohol and mental problems. I've been sober since December 14th 1985 (almost 21 years). That's why I have a life today and help others fulfill their dreams.
How and when did you start with Salsa? How and when dancing salsa?
I started to listen to salsa music, that changed my life, when I was 5 years old and later more intensly when I was 12. The time of the Fania All Stars.
I started to dance salsa when I was 12. But my first classes were with my mother, who would go out to dance in the infamous Palladium of New York. She would teach me when I was only 5 years old. Later in 1991, I was selected as one of the dancers for the movie Mambo Kings. There, not only did I have the pleasure of working with Antonio Banderas and Armmand Assante, but also with Tito Puente, Celia Cruz and José Alberto El Canario.
What was your first production and how did you get to become the most important producer of the world salsa market?
First I started dancing as one of the leading dancers of "Mambo Kings". Later, I was selected from among 400 partners to dance in the 1993 Academy Awards, dancing to the song "My Beautiful Maria" from the movie "Mambo Kings". The singer was Placido Domingo. Only 4 dancers were selected, and I was one of them. Later I was the choreographer of the salsa scenes in the movie "Dance With Me", and I danced in the movie. I worked with Vanesa Williams and Chayanne for 5 months. I worked with Jack Lemmon and Walter Mattaeu in the movie "Out To Sea" and also danced in the film. Later, I danced with Jennifer Lopez in the "Keenan Wayan Show".
And after all this, since 1991 I started to promote salsa clubs in Los Angeles. I lost lot's of money. Nobody was interested in Salsa. I started to manage "Johnny Planco y su Conjunto Amistad", currently the most internationally renowned salsa band from the West Coast of USA.
In 1996 I worked with Leo Tizol from Puerto Rico and Bill Martinez from San Francisco, and in January of 1997, for the first time in history, we brought Los Van Van from Cuba to the United States.
1997 was the beginning of Mr. Eli Irizarry's dream (from Puerto Rico): the concept of salsa congresses in San Juan. I didn't go the first year, but I heard many nice things, although it was a financial failure. I went to the event in 1998 and was the Master of Ceremonies, and later the same concept started in Los Angeles beginning in 1999. During the following 8 years, the Los Angeles Congress stood out as the largest in the world with more than 6,000 people from 42 countries.
Now I'm co producer of 32 world congresses and co-producer of the World Salsa Championship that is aired by ESPN from Las Vegas, seen by more than 20 million homes worldwide.
I'm also promoter of 4 clubs each week in Los Angeles, I manage dancers and still manage Johnny Polanco. For 2007, I've reserved 48 weeks of the year to travel and promote congresses and qualifiers for the World Salsa Championship.
What objective to you wish to accomplish with your salsa congresses?
My most important desire in being a promoter of the congresses is that these means be used for the dancers to fulfill their dream of performing on stage and also to find a way for dancers to recieve the respect they deserve. This is very important.
From the very first year, the West Coast Salsa Congress positioned itself as the most important in the whole world, how did you achieve this so quickly?
Lot's of work. Searching for the best dancers for performances and for workshops. Also, that the best live salsa bands could be seen at this salsa congress.
We're always looking for new talent, since we have the possibility of presenting afternoon shows where world renowned talents have been found. Many dreams have been fulfilled and some spectacular careers have started. The way we treat the dancers and the importane of dance floors for them to come to dance and enjoy.
What do you take into account when a congress of such magnitude is organized, what is prioritized?
Security and that they feel comfortable. Respect, good quality shows and live music. The right dance floor. Seats, space, relevant workshops including some on the history of music, etc, etc. We're in the world of entertaining the audience and respecting the dance performers.
Who and how is it decided who participates?
Between the 1st and 15th of December of each year, DVDs are recieved from all over the world as auditions. Last year I recieved 740 DVDs to review. I watch them all. Around January 22 o 23 we publish the selected groups and partners on my website. I always have a waiting list in case someone can't come to the congress. I'm the one who makes the decision with the help of my assistant Jose Mendoza.
Which other congresses do you organize around the world?
In some of the following I'm co-producer, consultant or it's one of the qualifiers for the World Salsa Championship in Las Vegas, December 13-16,
2006:
Jan. 2007 Salt Lake City, Utah / New Zealand / Sydney, Australia
Feb. 2007 Hawaii / Monaco / Rome, Italy / Zurich, Switzerland
Mar. 2007 New York, New Jersey / Gothenburg, Sweden
Apr. 2007 New Zealand / Montreal, Canada / Israel
May. 2007 Sofia, Bulgaria / Los Angeles, CA
Jun. 2007 Hawaii / Philadelphia, PA / Chicago, Ill / Seoul, Korea
Jul. 2007 Barcelona, Spain / Caracas, Venezuela / Hamburg, Germany / San Juan, Puerto Rico
Aug. 2007 Seattle, Northwest Congress / Beijng, China / Castellon, Spain / San
Diego, CA / New York
Sep. 2007 Romania / Cali, Colombia / United Kingdom / Houston, Texas
Oct. 2007 Toronto, Canada / Gothenburg, Sweden / Singapore / Tokyo, Japan
Nov. 2007 Istanbul, Turkey / Vancouver, Canada / San Francisco, CA / Acapulco, Mexico
Dec. 2007 Las Vegas, Nevada
And still to come India, Africa, Cuba and many more.
What's your opinion on the current level of dance, are there significant differences or has the playing field been leveled, do some stand out more than others?
The world level is very good. Each year I notice that salseros from all over the world are studying more, buying DVDs and practicing more the different styles. Obviously, some countries are still among beginners/ intermediates and are only dancing in one. But there are others, such as many parts of Europe (Italy), and in Japan or Korea that are dancing more intermediate/ advanced in one and in two. They´re also including the Cuban style. It's a very interesting mix. In Milan, Italy there's Tropical Gem and The Swing Guys. Two of the most sought-after and salient groups in the congresses. Now there are other dancers that I'll mention later whom I consider incredible.
In Japan there's Ryoko and Rue. In Spain I saw really good salsa dancers. From Argentina we had dancers this year that opened my eyes to talent there. In Venezuela you have the Imagen Latina dancers. Now I went to Cali, Colombia and appreciated the unique style and dedication to Salsa of dancers such those of Mulato and his Swing Group, and the world champions Ricardo Murillo and Viviana Vargas of Stilo y Sabor; they won the Cabaret Style in the 1st World Salsa Championship in Las Vegas that was seen worldwide in ESPN in December of 2005. I saw salsa dancers in Cali from 4 to 80 years old (the old school). The kids dancing for Nueva Dimension School are great. This is the future of our dance.
Which dancers and companies have impressed you most?
Tito & Tamara from Puerto Rico, Eddie & Maria Torres, Victor & Burju of Hacha y Machete from Boston, Johnny Vazquez from Mexico, Papa Rumba & Henry Herrera from Cuba, Oliver & Luda from Australia, Junior & Emily from San Francisco, Jhesus Aponte & Marielis Molina & Candy Mena, also Amanda Estilo from Santo Domingo and Sekou McMiller from Chicago and Edwin Rivera from the Bronx and Los Angeles.
There's a lot of new blood that I'm evaluating, and during the next few years there will be many changes. One of them is Al Liquid Silver Espinoza and his wife Karla. The work Stayz is doing with the youth in New Zealand is admirable. In Argentina you've got to give credit to some dancers that are working hard and opened our eyes to what's happening with salsa in Argentina, the same goes for Americasalsa that gives us information on what's going on there. These dancers are Marcelo Reynoso with Noel Figueroa (Mambo Shake), Celeste Delise with Mariano Soto, and Adrian Visciglia with Belén Godoy.
Among the groups I'd like to highlight are: Tropical Gem's groups in Italy, Swing Guys of Italy, Santo Rico, Karisma & Yamulee of New York & New Jersey, Mulato's and Ricardo & Viviana's groups in Cali, Salsa Dance Squad of Holland directed by Eric, Angel Martinez Dancers, Papa Tambor & Coabey Dancers of Puerto Rico, Pretty Boys & Girls and Salsamania from San Francisco.
People know about Albert Torres from his congresses, but you also organize shows and band tours, tell us a bit about this.
Where should I start? At this time, in addition to the world congresses and the Salsa Championship that is seen worldwide on ESPN, I represent various bands and manage "Johnny Polanco y Su Conjunto Amistad" and Chino Espinoza & Los Dueños Del Son. I also manage dancers such as Junior & Emily of San Francisco. I have four dance clubs weekly (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) in Los Angeles which my employees handle and I have two "right hands": Jose Mendoza and Fernando Barrera who make sure that all is well. I'm in touch with them daily and make the decisions on the bands and instructors of these places.
You can see that I'm doing a lot of things, although I'm traveling 48 weeks of the year outside of Los Angeles. I'm part of the Salsa Seven; we're the producers of the Las Vegas Salsa Championship. I'm also President of a non-profit organization dedicated to music & dance education. We sponsor kids that dance in the congresses or take classes for musicians. The company is called "Baile De Los Niños", it's my company. We've helped kids around the world. I've also started the Music Seminary that takes place the week before the Los Angeles Congress.
Salsa band tours like this year Maraca from Cuba, Oscar D'Leon, Swing Sextet, Tito Puente Orchestra, Orquesta Broadway, Orquesta de Machito, Tipica 73, Jose Alberto El Canario, Johnny Polanco, Jimmy Bosch, Azuquita, Adalberto Santiago, Tito Allen, Cano Estremera, Sonora Carrusselles, Spanish Harlem, Tabaco & Ron and many more.
As I understand, you've organized tours for Cuban bands such as Los Van Van, do you still produce these shows? How does the American public react to Cuban bands?
With the support of Bill Martinez from San Francisco and Leo Tizol we were the first in America to bring Los Van Van (#1 group of Cuba) in January of 1997 for concerts in New York, Puerto Rico, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. The first concert for this band in the United States after 25 years of existence. Later, I had Los Van Van many times until Bush closed the doors on bringing Cuban music. I hope the doors open up again in 2009 with the new President. I have lot's of surprises when that happens.
Other Cuban bands that we toured: Adalberto Alvarez, Orquesta Aragon, Anacaona, David Calzado & La Charanga Habanera, Maraca, Issac Delgado, Bamboleo and others that I don't remember now, you must understand that I just arrived tonight from Sweden after being 20 hours on an airplane. It's 12:30 in the morning and tomorrow I'm leaving for New York to be part of the 50th Anniversary of Johnny Pacheco in the music industry. There'll be Fania Stars, Oscar D´Leon, Jimmy Bosch and many more in Madison Square Garden.
I also have, in addition to the clubs this week, Junior & Emily in Italy and Johnny Polanco with 13 musicians in the Singapore Salsa Congress, travelling 24 hours to play at that event. Now that's dedication.
We're organizing a new congress in San Diego for 2007 and resolving a some minor redtape issues for some dancers. We're busy. This is what I'll do until my last breath. I'm living my dream.
Which salsa artists do you like most, who are your favorites?
Oscar D'Leon, Jose Alberto El Canario, Johnny Polanco, Jimmy Bosch, Victor Manuelle, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ray De La Paz, Domingo Quiñones, Mercado Negro (Europe), Spanish Harlem, Maraca (Cuba), Tabaco & Ron, Chino Espinoza & Los Dueños Del Son, Diego Gale and all his groups. I also want to mention Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Beny More, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Machito, Mario Bauza, Tito Rodriguez, all the Fania All Stars, Ray Barreto, Roberto Roena, Hector Lavoe and the Rey del Mambo Israel Lopez Cachao and many more. Thanks to Dimelo Records and Nassim for their work in keeping salsa music alive. Long live Salsa Dura!
Does Albert Torres listen to salsa at home? what other musicians do you like?
Yes, I hear salsa music every day because I recieve about 10 CDs to review and give my opinion on them. I like to listen to R&B and also the Black Eyed Peas, and I like from my childhood Marvin Gaye and the Jackson 5. Are you surprised? Also Sammy Davis Jr and Frank Sinatra.
Thank you Albert, for the interview.
Remember the African saying: "If you can walk, you can dance. Dancing is just walking to the rhythm of music.
Israel Lopez “Cachao”: "The only thing I ask is that the youth continue this tradition".
Remember that it's not life or death; don't take it so seriously. Enjoy dancing!
Albert Torres
"Creating Unity Through Salsa"
"If we'd all be dancing, there'd be no wars"
October 2006
