Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Colombian musician Samuel Torres’ new album options simply three devices : NPR


Colombian-born percussionist and composer Samuel Torres and his group launch their latest album, Trio Libre.



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ADRIAN MA, HOST:

A collage of piano, vibraphone and conga drums – that is the trio of devices you will hear in “Trio Libre”…

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MA: …A forthcoming album by Colombian-born percussionist and composer Samuel Torres.

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MA: “Trio Libre” is a unique kind of album for Torres as a result of it is extra minimal and stripped down.

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SAMUEL TORRES: “Trio Libre” – it is a very fascinating undertaking for me, a brand new problem, as a result of as an alternative of going for extra devices, like I did in my earlier albums, I did a symphonic album. I did album with an enormous band. I went the opposite method. I went to have a minimal sound.

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TORRES: After I started to have this concept to place this undertaking collectively, I did not know – and I feel I nonetheless do not know as a result of that is the magic of life, the uncertainty – if it was going to work as a result of I am deciding to not use the formulation of how Latin jazz is constructed.

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TORRES: Yeah, that is a tune. We have now one another. In that pick-up that entered, that first motif of the piano, (vocalizing), it is my imaginary tribute to Tito Puente as a result of that is the motive and the function of the piano within the tune “Oye Como Va.”

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TORRES: I feel all of us – music lovers – we are able to have many debates about issues. However I feel one factor that we are able to agree is the one one of the crucial influential – some folks say probably the most influential composer – of Western music was Johann Sebastian Bach.

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TORRES: This piece of Johann Sebastian Bach – this one is named the “Duet No. 1 On E Minor.” It’s not certainly one of his most identified items, however the way in which he integrated rhythmic syncopation and the way in which he put chromatic motion within the concord, I used to be simply fascinated.

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SARAH ALDEN AND SAMUEL TORRES: (Singing in non-English language).

TORRES: I needed to jot down this music to my spouse, Sarah Alden. She’s an unimaginable violin participant right here in New York.

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ALDEN AND TORRES: (Singing in non-English language).

TORRES: It is very private, however it means loads to her. It is each of us singing and the primary time I ever report my voice in a undertaking. Nevertheless it’s a love letter to her.

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ALDEN AND TORRES: (Singing in non-English language).

MA: That’s Samuel Torres on congas taking part in with Carmen Staaf on piano and Felipe Fournier on vibraphone. Their debut album, “Trio Libre,” is out Might 1.

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