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Montavilla Jazz Festival presents The Bobby Torres Ensemble Sunday August 18, 2019 from 5:30-6:20 pm at Portland Metro Arts 9003 SE Stark Street Portland OR 97216. The Bobby Torres Ensemble features musical talent of the highest caliber in Portland to explore the many musical inflections of Latin Jazz. Bobby’s Ensemble delivers driving Latin polyrhythms by Dan Gaynor, tasty piano licks, a pulsating Latin bass by Al Criado, the Ensemble’s sizzling horns, and songs with both Spanish and English lyrics performed by his powerful vocalist, and daughter, Julana Torres. Bobby’s music is a toe tapping fusion of American and Latin standards arranged with churning Latin grooves richly ornamented with jazz inflections. It is a fusion of Latin-Jazz-and Rock’n-Roll with original songs and music by both American and Latin song writers. The Oregonian describes the Bobby Torres Ensemble as “Latin jazz with enough flavor and spice to satisfy your body and soul’s need for rhythmic harmony.”
Bobby Torres Ensemble
Julana Torres Featured with the Bobby Torres Ensemble
Lan Su Garden & PDX Jazz Present the Bobby Torres Ensemble: Remembering Woodstock, With a Little Help From My Friends. To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock, Bobby Torres presents a look back at Woodstock and some of the iconic music played that weekend with this PDX Jazz series ending showcase. Musicians include: vocalists Julana Torres and Sean Holmes; Dan Gaynor, piano; Al Criado, bass; Dick Titterington, trumpet; James Travers, drums and, of course, Bobby Torres, congas. Bobby performed with Joe Cocker and The Grease Band at Woodstock — the first and largest three-day outdoor live music festival to date, in the summer of 1969 at Max Yasgur’s Farm in Woodstock NY with more than 500,000 attendees. No festival since has maintained a gathering of one-half million people for an outdoor live music concert without violence. It really was three days of music, peace and love.
Some details Bobby remembers of Woodstock…
“The only day of rain was Saturday — it started with thunder occurring right after we performed ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’… it felt like God was applauding. It rained heavily for about an hour and a half. We all had to clear the stage. People had to clear the speaker stands and light stands they had climbed on out in the field. The mix of the rain and the electricity on stage was frightening. I took cover back stage under hastily strung tarps. The stage hands scrambled to cover the amps, keyboards and drums… all the electrical equipment. When the storm was over, we took the helicopter back to the hotel.
“Looking back at this event, after all these years, I understand more now the importance of this event much more than I did at the time. I find myself very fortunate to have been involved, as a musician, for this world changing event.” — Bobby Torres
Bobby Torres on stage (afro, purple pants) with Joe Cocker’s band, Woodstock (3 Days of Peace & Music), Bethel, NY, 1969. Photo By ©Elliott Landy, LandyVision Inc. Photo courtesy of Elliott Landy http://elliottlandy.com/
Bobby Torres joins Mel Brown on stage at the Jack London Revue. Music starts at 8:00pm. Mel and Bobby go way back – during their long careers touring on the road, finding themselves in the same town, and – at times – even in the same hotel, Bobby and Mel would hang out together telling jokes, sharing road stories and occasionally playing music together. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear these two musicians performing and having a good time together on stage at the Jack London Revue. The Mel Browne Quartet features Mel Browne on drums, Luis Payne on 3-B Organ, Dan Balmer on guitar and Renato Carranto on Saxophone.
Bobby Torres with Mel Brown at the Mel Brown Jazz Camp
Bobby Torres (L), Mel Brown (C), Renato Carranto (R) on stage at Jimmy Mak’s for Mel Brown’s Birthday
Bobby Torres, Band Leader
About Bobby Torres: Bobby is a band leader, musician, record producer, songwriter, and session musician with a 40-year professional history that spans the globe and a lengthy discography. Originally from New York City, Bobby developed his reputation while performing with Joe Cocker at Woodstock, touring with Joe Cocker Mad Dogs & Englishmen, and performing and/or touring or recording with countless other music stars such as Al Jarreau, Jackson Browne, Beach Boys, the Captain & Tennille, and Etta James – to name a few. He has an extensive discography. He also performed and toured the globe for 10 years with Tom Jones. Bobby was nominated “Outstanding Percussionist” (a Muddy Waters Award), he was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and he received The Jazz Hero Award from the Jazz Journalists Association. Bobby has been a respected advocate, speaker, instructor and keeper of Latin rhythms on the Portland music scene for many years. The Ensemble is his central focus.
The Palm Court at the Benson Hotel features a trio version of the Bobby Torres Ensemble. Enjoy a fantastic late night bite, cocktails and live Latin jazz at the Benson Hotel with Bobby Torres’ Trio! Music from 8:30pm-12:00am. Call to reserve your table today: 503.228.2000. Dinner is served from 5:00pm until 11:00 pm. View Dinner Menu Here. The Palm Court is located inside the historic Benson Hotel Lobby at the corner of SW Oak and Broadway at 309 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205. View Bobby Torres on Oregon Art Beat Special.
Arrivederci’s presents live Latin Jazz featuring a quartet version of the Bobby Torres Ensemble! Music from 8:00-11:00pm. Reflecting the family ambiance of this unique Italian venue, Bobby has gathered a quintet of well known NW Artists featuring vocalist Julana Torres, Clay Giberson on piano, Al Criado on bass, Cameron Morgan on guitar, James Travers on drums and of course Bobby Torres on congas and percussion. With any luck, Steve Hanneman will sneak in with his axe during the last set. And, with some encouragement, Steve will also break into song! Jazz lovers, the intimate seating, that closely surrounds the bandstand, gets booked out early so call for your reservation today (503) 659-1143. This is a family friendly venue for the entire evening. Don’t miss this opportunity to chill-ax up close and personal with your family and friends with some of the best live jazz in Portland!
In addition to the live music, enjoy a selection from Kate and Steve’s menu and wine list. Bobby recommends a glass of pinot noir with the Vegetarian Pizza (ask for it because it is not listed on the menu). Order it Bobby’s heart healthy way (extra veggie) on a fabulous gluten free crust and hold the cheese! For your starter, enjoy a small roasted beet and pear salad. Yum! Some vegetarian, GF, vegan options available upon request.
Call to reserve your table today: (503) 659-1143.
Jo Bar & Rotisserie presents live Latin jazz featuring the Bobby Torres Ensemble Trio Sunday September 8, 2019 at 7:00pm. Enjoy Bobby Torres on congas, Mike Horsfall on piano, Jay Bird Koder on Guitar. View Bobby Torres Oregon Art Beat special. Jo Bar offers wood-oven-fired and spit-roasted seasonal fare, wine and distilled spirits.
Bobby Torres Ensemble
Move your feet to some of the best live Latin Jazz Portland has to offer! Arrivederci’s presents an unforgettable night of music with Karla Harris, Julana Torres & the Bobby Torres Ensemble. For the first time ever, Steve and Kate Hanneman present Bobby’s 9-piece Ensemble including the horn section! With any luck, Steve Hanneman will sneak in with his axe during the last set. And, with some encouragement, Steve will also break into song! Jazz lovers, the intimate seating, that closely surrounds the bandstand, gets booked out early so call for your reservation today (503) 659-1143. If you can’t get a reservation, come down anyway as there is always room for you at the Bar! This is a family friendly venue for the entire evening. Don’t miss this opportunity to chill-ax up close and personal with your family and friends with some of the best live jazz in Portland!
In addition to the live music, enjoy a selection from Kate and Steve’s menu and wine list. Bobby recommends a glass of pinot noir with the Vegetarian Pizza (ask for it because it is not listed on the menu). Order it Bobby’s heart healthy way (extra veggie) on a fabulous gluten free crust and hold the cheese! For your starter, enjoy a small roasted beet and pear salad. Yum! Some vegetarian, GF, vegan options available upon request.
Call to reserve your table today: (503) 659-1143.
Download Poster at this link: BTE Arrivederci Wine October 12 2019 Karla Harris Julana Torres
The Cafe Bar at BlueHour features a trio version of the Bobby Torres Ensemble with George Mitchell on piano. Enjoy a fantastic late night bite, cocktails and live Latin jazz at Bluehour with Bobby Torres’ Trio! Music from 9:00pm-11:00pm. Call to reserve your table today: (503) 226-3394. Dinner is served until 10:00 pm and Happy Hour is offered from 9:30 pm – 12:00 am. View Happy Hour Menu Here. Bluehour is located in the Pearl District at 250 NW 13th Avenue, Portland, OR. View Bobby Torres on Oregon Art Beat Special.
Bobby Torres Ensemble
Free show at the Ilani Resort & Casino, Ridgefield WA – 1 Cowlitz Way, Ridgefield, WA 98642
The Muze Lounge features The Bobby Torres Ensemble Rumba De La Salsa from 8:00 – 12:00 pm. Enjoy the Ilani Resort & Casino gaming, food, and drinks while you dance into the night with the Bobby Torres Ensemble Rumba De La Salsa in the Muze Lounge. The Ensemble includes musical talent of the highest caliber in Portland to explore churning Latin grooves richly ornamented with musical inflections from multiple cultural influences. The musician’s native origins include Puerto Rico (New Yorican), Cuba, Ghana and the US. Featuring a line up of musical heavy weights including: Bobby Torres, congas; Julana Torres and Bamba Cuesta Figueroa vocals; George Mitchell, Piano; Al Criado, Bass; Israel Annoh, drums; Marty Valez, bongos; Dick Titterington, trumpet; John Moak, trombone; Tim Jensen, saxophone. Bobby has been honing his unique Latin Jazz sound in Portland for the last 25 years. Before that, he was all over the world. Watch Oregon Art Beat Special
Bobby Torres Ensemble
Julana Torres Featured with the Bobby Torres Ensemble
Ilani Resort & Casino, Ridgefield WA – 1 Cowlitz Way, Ridgefield, WA 98642
Saturday October 26, The Ilani Wine & Food Fest features The Bobby Torres Ensemble Trio and Sextet from 8:00-11:00pm (time subject to change) in the Meeting Entertainment Center as part of the Ilani Wine & Food Fest that runs from Friday October 25 through Sunday the 27th. Featuring musical heavy weights: Bobby Torres, congas; Julana Torres & Sean Holmes, vocals; Mike Horsfall Piano; Al Criado, Bass; Israel Annoh, drums. Bobby has been honing his unique Latin Jazz sound in Portland for the last 25 years. Before that, he was all over the world. Watch Oregon Art Beat Special
Bobby Torres Ensemble
Julana Torres Featured with the Bobby Torres Ensemble
Sean Holmes
About the Ilani Wine & Food Fest: Don’t miss your chance to sip and sample your way through endless vintages and signature dishes, incredible showcases and tastings during a three-day affair at ilani’s Meeting & Entertainment Center. The weekend will be nonstop with three days of ilani Wine & Food Fest’s featured event, the Grand Tasting and can’t miss exclusive events including the Celebrity Chef Dine Around, Elite Cru Tasting and the Sunday Chef & Champagne Brunch. With an already impressive, and still growing list of chef participants, there will be no shortage of incredible bites at the ilani Wine & Food Fest. Catch Season 15 Top Chef star Tyler Anderson. Catch some local Northwest flavor with Top Chef legend B.J. Smith and one of the Best New Chefs 2019 according to Food & Wine magazine, Mutsuko Soma.. Smith is the Owner and Executive Chef of Kim Jong Smokehouse in Portland, Oregon. Soma is the Chef and Owner of Kamonegi, which was voted Seattle Met’s 2018 Restaurant of the Year. Pitmaster and BBQ Expert Rick Browne will also be on site, displaying his grilling expertise and commitment to barbecue.
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