Crystal J Torres - ProfilesArchive

About Me

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Philadelphia born Trumpeter/Vocalist, Crystal J Torres combines an eclectic mix of her Latina roots with her love for jazz, rock, salsa and soul music to create a sound that is all her own. This William Paterson University graduate has been a vocalist and trumpeter for jazz greats such as Clark Terry, Roy Hargrove, Dr Billy Taylor, and Paquito D'Rivera and can be heard on the albums of salsa recording artists such as Brenda K Starr and Ricky Gonzalez. Crystal has had the pleasure of performing in venues such as the White House, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and in festivals such as the Bolivia Jazz Festival, the Paris blues and Jazz Festival, the Umbria Festival in Italy, the North Sea Music festival in Holland, and the Berne Jazz and Blues Festival in Switzerland. More recently, Crystal has been touring the world in a ten piece, all female band with pop superstar, Beyonce Knowles. Strongly committed to inspiring the youth to strive for their best, Crystal enjoys holding workshops, lectures with students throughout the community. After performing pop, salsa, jazz, and soul music for countless audiences in countries like Japan, Australia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Italy, U.K. Ireland, China, Russia, Ethiopia, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cuba, Crystal is looking forward to her journey as a recording artist and songwriter. She currently producing and recording her debut album of to be released in 2009.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 6/22/2006
Band Website: crystaltorresmusic.com & cosaricamusic.com
Band Members: (depends on the group) Beyonce's all female group , RH Factor (Roy Hargrove), Clark Terry Big Band, Dr. Billy Taylor group, (my groups) Ricky Gonzalez, Orlando Fiol, Rob Hagopian, Francois Zayas, Juan "Cuco" Castellanos, Orlando Vega, Arturo Stable, Tim Thompson, Brian Hogans...... RH Factor @ the North Sea 2006!! .. ..
Influences: God is my biggest influence and source of inspiration and has sent me amazing mentors, friends, teachers, colleagues, and family members that support and nourish my growth as an artist. I started playing trumpet at age 8 and always loved to sing but once I heard Miles, Ella, Roy Hargrove, Lady Day, Lee Morgan, Dianne Reeves, Dr. Billy Taylor, Art Blakey, Bobby McFerrin, Clark Terry, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Clifford, Ricky Gonzalez, Freddie Hubbard and Charles Mingus during highschool and college I never turned back. Other big inspirations that led me down this path would have to be all of the great salseros like Barretto, Papo Lucas, Ruben Blades, Tito Puente and Palmieri I grew up listening and dancing to (thanks dad). Last but not least is definitely the beauty and honesty of Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, India Arie,Earth Wind and Fire, Raul Midon and Stevie Wonder's music. I have been blessed over and over again, meeting and playing with some of the best musicians from around the world. This journey is just beginning and I'm loving life! Thank God for good people and good music.
Sounds Like: Joy, Love, Compassion, Humility, Encouragement, Curiosity, Growth, Humanity in action.
Record Label: none
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Flirting her way to victory

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2008/oct/ 03/sarah.palin.debate.feminism/print* Michelle Goldberg Sarah Palin winks during the vice-presidential debate on Thursday in St Louis, Misso...
Posted by Crystal J Torres on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:58:00 PST

http://www.barackobama.com/images/keating/keatingeconomics.m ov

http://www.barackobama.com/images/keating/keatingeconomics.m ovCheck out the link. This election is SO important. OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Crystal J Torres on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:31:00 PST

SUCCESS

Turning pain into power, choosing to be happy and positive, choosing to be thankful in the face of life's challenges,choosing to forgive yourself and others no matter the circumstance, choosing to ful...
Posted by Crystal J Torres on Sat, 15 Dec 2007 07:07:00 PST

Ethiopia and the rediscovery of joy and hope!!!

Okay, someone just asked me if I've bumped into any new sounds and I felt the need to share this:...Imagine a place where all you receive is genuine smiles and waves from people lined up, eager to gre...
Posted by Crystal J Torres on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 05:37:00 PST

Ladies, lets not forget.....

Instead of focusing on looking beautiful, or pleasing somebody, The most beautiful, confident, successful and happy women Focus on finding their God given gifts so that they can develop them a...
Posted by Crystal J Torres on Fri, 13 Apr 2007 05:24:00 PST

It's Official...... I'm ENGAGED!!!!

Totally unexpected, but here we are, ENGAGED to be married.....WOW.....THANK GOD I found a GOOD man, a REAL man, an HONEST man....I AM BLESSED :o)...........no babies for a LONG WHILE THOUGH...(in cas...
Posted by Crystal J Torres on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 04:30:00 PST

faith

I don't mean to sound like a treehugging fortune cookie, but this week has been incredible and I must post the words floating around in my head....ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT, BELIEVE YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT, KN...
Posted by Crystal J Torres on Sat, 03 Feb 2007 06:19:00 PST