Samuel Torres

Samuel is a 2x Latin Grammy winning percussionist, composer, and bandleader born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, whose career began remarkably early. By age 12 he was already performing with established musicians throughout the city, learning the nuances of pop, jazz, salsa, and Colombian traditions directly onstage alongside seasoned professionals. He later pursued classical training and earned a degree in Music Composition from Bogotá’s renowned Universidad Javeriana. Before relocating to the United States in 1999, Samuel had become a fixture in Colombia’s music scene, performing for major artists, serving as a music director and arranger for prominent telenovelas and films, and establishing himself as one of the country’s most versatile young percussionists.

Since moving to the U.S., Samuel has continued to build an acclaimed body of work as both a performer and creator. His 2006 debut album, Skin Tones, quickly drew international attention, with JazzTimes praising it as “at once intelligent, sophisticated and explosive.” Supported by multiple New World Jazz Grants, he has developed a range of creative projects that explore the intersection of Latin American traditions, improvisation, and contemporary composition. His 2017 release, Alegría, pays homage to the people and musical heritage of Colombia and neighboring countries. Over the course of his career, Samuel has earned multiple nominations across the Grammy, Emmy, and Latin Grammy Awards. At Sound Collective, he brings decades of global perspective, rhythmic mastery, and deep artistic curiosity to his teaching, guiding students through the technical, cultural, and creative dimensions of modern percussion and composition.