Roberto Torres | |
Background: | solo_singer |
Birth Date: | 1938 2, df=y |
Birth Place: | Güines, Cuba |
Genre: | Charanga, vallenata, son cubano, salsa |
Occupation: | Musician, producer, record executive |
Instrument: | Vocals, percussion |
Years Active: | 1956–present |
Label: | Guajiro, SAR |
Associated Acts: | Sonora Matancera, SAR All-Stars |
Roberto Torres (born 10 February 1938)[1] is a Cuban singer, percussionist, bandleader and producer. Born in Güines, Cuba,[1] he moved to the United States in 1959, where he became involved in the Latin music scenes of New York and Miami.[2] In 1979, he founded two record labels, Guajiro Records and its subsidiary, SAR, both devoted to Cuban music. As a singer and musician, he is famous for his combination of Cuban and Colombian music, which he termed "charanga vallenata". His biggest hit was a cover version of Simón Díaz's "Caballo Viejo".[3] He was a member of the Sonora Matancera for three years.[1] He has also appeared in music documentaries such as .
On 2 June 2011, the Cuban-American community of Union City, New Jersey honored Torres with a star on the Walk of Fame at Celia Cruz Plaza.[4]