Latin Grammy award winner Nestor Torres brings his music to the Crown Theatre on Friday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m.
If a flute could talk and sing, it would certainly be in the voice of Nestor Torres, for he speaks through his instrument. Equally fluent in jazz, classical and Latin idioms, his fluid versatility sets him apart. Torres’ total command of his instrument allows him a freedom of expression that is at once captivating and liberating, powerful and genuine.
    Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Torres has played music all his life. His parents (the father, a gifted musician himself, and mother, an educator and business woman) gave him a set of drums at age 5, and later took up the flute (at age 12). He moved to New York City with his family in his teenage years and went on to study at Mannes School of Music and later at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. At that time he was also able to learn to improvise in a style of Cuban Dance music called charanga, which helped to shape and develop Torres’ melodic and danceable sound.
    {mosimage}Torres has recorded 13 CDs to date. His fifth and seventh records, Treasure of the Heart and My Latin Soul, were nominated for a Latin Grammy, and his production, This Side of Paradise, won the Latin Grammy award in the pop instrumental category on Sept. 11, 2001.
    “Of course it was a great honor and privilege to win the Grammy,” said Torres. “That being said, the fact that I was to receive it on 9/11 gave my work and my music a stronger sense of mission and purpose. Terrorism and violence come from ignorance, anger, and hopelessness. Music inspires and empowers; it soothes the human heart and enlightens the spirit. I have made it my prime point to create music and live my life in a way that does just that.”
    On his brand new CD, Nouveau Latino, Torres returns to his Latin roots with a fresh approach, impeccable musicianship, and irresistible improvisations. Featuring songs from stars like Celia Cruz and Ruben Blades, Torres’ interpretations of these great Latin hits appeal to those discovering the songs for the first time as much as those who remember them.
    Tickets are $25 and $55 ($55 ticket includes meet and greet, private table near stage, drinks and desserts) and are currently on sale. Tickets are available at the Crown Center box office, online at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. For more information, call (910) 438-4100 or visit www.crowncoliseum.com.
    The Crown Center main box office is located at the Crown Coliseum and is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.