Elsten Torres
Encyclopedia
Elsten Creole Torres, in Havana
, Cuba
as Listoriel Leyva Torres, is a singer/songwriter
/producer
. He grew up in New York City
with his mother and older brother leaving his father in Cuba
as a political prisoner. He was lead singer and songwriter
for the American Latin Rock band, “Fulano de Tal
.” After the breakup of the band, Elsten has continued both his own career as a solo
artist and has had success writing for other well-known performers such as: Luis Fonsi
, Obie Bermúdez
, Alejandra Guzmán
, Julio Iglesias, Jr. and many others. He has been nominated for two Grammy Award
s. The second Grammy nomination was for his first solo
independent album, “Individual.” He has won several BMI
music awards for his songwriting. He is on the board of governors for NARAS. Elsten studied communications arts at New York Institute of Technology
. Elsten is married to the internationally known dancer Bozenka, both currently living in Miami Florida. Elsten also works with charity organizations such as “Hope” (Miami Beach Homeless) and Susan G. Komen for the Cure
. Elsten has just released his first all English album, “If You Say So.”
, Cuba
during the height of the Cuban Revolution
. His father Emigdio Torres was already a political prisoner when Elsten was born. His mother Elsa Torres, left Cuba
when Elsten was only a year and half old with his older brother Dorian E. Torres age five at the time, and arrived in New York City
. It was in New York
that Elsten began his love for music. One of his uncle’s, Listoriel Torres, was a singer/songwriter
who had some success back in Havana
, would always sing his songs about Cuba
at family gatherings. Elsten began seriously learning the guitar at the age of twelve. By the time he was sixteen, he was in his first rock band named “Refugee” with some of his local neighborhood friends. At one show, the lead singer never made it, so Elsten was asked to take the role of lead singer as well as lead guitarist, and from that moment on, his love for singing
began. He wrote his first song at the age of sixteen from a love note he found on the floor of his high school
English class. The song was called, “Girl, the world is changing fast”
had the age of sixteen. He took a few years of private lessons with various teachers. He was profoundly influenced by artists such as: The Beatles
, Billy Joel
, Paul Simon
, Elvis Presley
, Elvis Costello
, Benny Moré
, U2
and some others. His first real serious band was called, “Mistaken Identity” then followed by his first Latin Rock
band, “Rebelde Sin Causa”. With R.S.C., Elsten recorded his first professional album, “Ataque” with his music partner, Leonardo Perez. This album took the duo through a tour of Mexico
and some islands in the Caribbean
in the early 1990s. Elsten with his new found appreciate for Latin music, moved to Miami, Florida
in 1994. It is in Miami, where Elsten first records with the independent label, “Radio Vox” under the artistic name of “Fulano De Tal”. The first single was the Cuban protest anthem, “Revolucion”. With the success of “Revolucion”, Elsten put the band together that would become “Fulano De Tal.” The original members were; Drummer
– Brendan Buckley
, Guitarist
- Julian Adam Zimmon, and Bassist
– Leo Nobre. Nobre left the band right before the band was to record their major label debut, “Normal” through BMG
/RCA
, and was replaced by bassist
– John M. Falcone. Fulano de Tal released two full-length albums, “Normal” (BMG/RCA
), and “Etc.” (Radio Vox/DLN.) The band officially broke up in 2001. In 2006, Elsten released his first solo
album, the Grammy nominated independent album, “Individual.”
, who is critically acclaimed and has received many awards and recognition for her dancing. Elsten is the son of Emigdio Torres (deceased) and Elsa Torres who also resides in Miami, Florida
. He has one older brother, Dorian Emgidio Torres, who is a Miami-Dade Firefighter
. Dorian has three daughters, Chloe, Bianca, and Emily Torres. Elsten also has a paternal half brother living in Havana
, Cuba
that he has never met. His name is Juan Antonio Torres.
of the United States
.
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
as Listoriel Leyva Torres, is a singer/songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
/producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. He grew up in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with his mother and older brother leaving his father in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
as a political prisoner. He was lead singer and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
for the American Latin Rock band, “Fulano de Tal
Fulano de Tal
Fulano de Tal was a north-american latin rock band, formed in 1995 in Miami, Florida. The original band members were: Elsten Torres , Brendan Buckley , Julian Adam Zimmon , and Leo Nobre . John Michael Falcone replaced Leo in 1996...
.” After the breakup of the band, Elsten has continued both his own career as a solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
artist and has had success writing for other well-known performers such as: Luis Fonsi
Luis Fonsi
Luis Alfonso Rodríguez López-Cepero, more commonly known by his stage name Luis Fonsi, is a Latin Grammy winning Puerto Rican singer and composer.- Early life :...
, Obie Bermúdez
Obie Bermúdez
Obie Bermúdez , is a Puerto Rican-American R&B/Salsa singer and composer.-Early years:Bermúdez was born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico into a family who loved music. His father and grandfather were both musicians. He received his primary education in the town of Aibonito, however in 1992 the family...
, Alejandra Guzmán
Alejandra Guzmán
Alejandra Gabriela Guzmán Pinal , better known as Alejandra Guzmán, is a Latin Grammy Award–winning Mexican rock singer and actress. She has had a dedicated fanbase throughout Latin America since the late 1980s, and is known as the "Queen of Rock" in the Hispanic world...
, Julio Iglesias, Jr. and many others. He has been nominated for two Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s. The second Grammy nomination was for his first solo
Solo album
A solo album, in popular music, is an album headlined by a current or former member of a band. A solo album may feature simply one person performing all instruments, but typically features the work of other collaborators; rather, it may be made with different collaborators than the artist is...
independent album, “Individual.” He has won several BMI
Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
music awards for his songwriting. He is on the board of governors for NARAS. Elsten studied communications arts at New York Institute of Technology
New York Institute of Technology
New York Institute of Technology is a private, non-sectarian, co-educational research university in New York City. NYIT has five schools and two colleges, all with a strong emphasis on technology and applied scientific research...
. Elsten is married to the internationally known dancer Bozenka, both currently living in Miami Florida. Elsten also works with charity organizations such as “Hope” (Miami Beach Homeless) and Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, often referred to as simply Komen, is the most widely known, largest and best-funded breast cancer organization in the US....
. Elsten has just released his first all English album, “If You Say So.”
Early years
Elsten Torres (originally Listoriel Leyva Torres) was born in HavanaHavana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
during the height of the Cuban Revolution
Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution was an armed revolt by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement against the regime of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista between 1953 and 1959. Batista was finally ousted on 1 January 1959, and was replaced by a revolutionary government led by Castro...
. His father Emigdio Torres was already a political prisoner when Elsten was born. His mother Elsa Torres, left Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
when Elsten was only a year and half old with his older brother Dorian E. Torres age five at the time, and arrived in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. It was in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
that Elsten began his love for music. One of his uncle’s, Listoriel Torres, was a singer/songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
who had some success back in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, would always sing his songs about Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
at family gatherings. Elsten began seriously learning the guitar at the age of twelve. By the time he was sixteen, he was in his first rock band named “Refugee” with some of his local neighborhood friends. At one show, the lead singer never made it, so Elsten was asked to take the role of lead singer as well as lead guitarist, and from that moment on, his love for singing
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
began. He wrote his first song at the age of sixteen from a love note he found on the floor of his high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
English class. The song was called, “Girl, the world is changing fast”
Music career
Elsten began playing the guitarGuitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
had the age of sixteen. He took a few years of private lessons with various teachers. He was profoundly influenced by artists such as: The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
, Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
, Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
, Benny Moré
Benny Moré
Benny Moré , or Beny, was a Cuban singer. He is often thought of as the greatest Cuban popular singer of all time. He was gifted with an innate musicality and fluid tenor voice which he colored and phrased with great expressivity...
, U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
and some others. His first real serious band was called, “Mistaken Identity” then followed by his first Latin Rock
Rock en Español
Rock en español is the Spanish-language rock music. While the term is used widely in English, it is used in Spanish mainly to distinguish such music from "Anglo rock." It is a style of rock music that developed in Latin American countries and Latino communities, along with other genres like...
band, “Rebelde Sin Causa”. With R.S.C., Elsten recorded his first professional album, “Ataque” with his music partner, Leonardo Perez. This album took the duo through a tour of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and some islands in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
in the early 1990s. Elsten with his new found appreciate for Latin music, moved to Miami, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in 1994. It is in Miami, where Elsten first records with the independent label, “Radio Vox” under the artistic name of “Fulano De Tal”. The first single was the Cuban protest anthem, “Revolucion”. With the success of “Revolucion”, Elsten put the band together that would become “Fulano De Tal.” The original members were; Drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
– Brendan Buckley
Brendan Buckley
Brendan Buckley is currently known for being the drummer in popstar Shakira's band.-Early life:Brendan Buckley was born in Morristown, New Jersey on March 13, 1974, to his Korean mother Soon Ja Kim, and his Irish-American father Dennis Buckley...
, Guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
- Julian Adam Zimmon, and Bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
– Leo Nobre. Nobre left the band right before the band was to record their major label debut, “Normal” through BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
/RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
, and was replaced by bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
– John M. Falcone. Fulano de Tal released two full-length albums, “Normal” (BMG/RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
), and “Etc.” (Radio Vox/DLN.) The band officially broke up in 2001. In 2006, Elsten released his first solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
album, the Grammy nominated independent album, “Individual.”
Personal life
Elsten Torres is married to Beatriz Marta Arencibia also known as – Bozenka. They have been married since 2001. Bozenka is an internationally known belly dancerBelly dancer
A belly dancer is one who performs a belly dance. The phrase may also refer to:*"Belly Dancer" , a single by R&B singer Akon*"Belly Dancer" , a hip hop song*The Belly Dancer, a 2001 Turkish drama film...
, who is critically acclaimed and has received many awards and recognition for her dancing. Elsten is the son of Emigdio Torres (deceased) and Elsa Torres who also resides in Miami, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. He has one older brother, Dorian Emgidio Torres, who is a Miami-Dade Firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
. Dorian has three daughters, Chloe, Bianca, and Emily Torres. Elsten also has a paternal half brother living in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
that he has never met. His name is Juan Antonio Torres.
Currently
Elsten Torres has just released his first all English album, “If You Say So”, through Uno Entertainment. He is currently also writing for other major projects and is planning a tour in the fall of 2008 throughout the west coastWest Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Discography
The Elsten Torres discography is as follows:- “Ataque” (Rebelde Sin Causa) – Discos Gas/Mexico - 1992
- “Revolucion” (Fulano De Tal) – Maxi – single – Radio Vox Records -1995
- “Normal” – (Fulano De Tal) – BMG/RCA - 1997
- “Etc.” – (Fulano) – Radio Vox/DLN - 2000
- “Individual” – (Fulano/Elsten Torres) – FM Records -2006
- “If You Say So” – (Elsten Torres) – Uno Entertainment – 2008
Compilations
- Latin Laugh Festival – BMGBMGBertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
/RCARCARCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
– 1998 - Tributo to the Cure – WEA Latina – 1999
- Una Decada de Rock – BMG - 2000
Most Notable songs
Elsten Torres is a prolific songwriter having written over five hundred songs so far in his career. Some of the notable songs are:- Los Demas (top ten Billboard hit with Julio Iglesias jr.)
- Cristina Maria (Hit single from the album, “Normal”)
- No Soy Gringo (Hit single from the album, “Normal”)
- Caramelo (Hit single for Alejandra Guzman)
- Dejala Que Baile (Hit song for Michael Stuart)
- Todo El Año (Billboard #1 song with Obie Bermudez)
- Por Una Mujer (Billboard top 20 song for Luis Fonsi)
- Olvidare (hit single and video from the album, “Individual”)
- Selfish (Hit single from the album, “Normal”)
- Normal (Hit single from the album, “Normal”)
- Dando Vueltas (hit single and video from the album, “Individual”)