By Ana Diaz —
As part of a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Miami University recently hosted Latin jazz
musician Nestor Torres at the Parrish Auditorium on Hamilton’s campus. Mr. Torres is an award-winning jazz flutist born in Puerto Rico. He has played with stars such as Kenny Loggins and Dave Matthews, and has won a Latin Grammy award. He played a selection of compositions from across Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. Mr. Torres was joined on stage by two Miami faculty members, Dr. Thomas Garcia on guitar, and Dr. Sarah Kim on cello.
With an easygoing and affable manner, Mr. Torres cracked jokes from onstage as he set up between
songs. He eagerly shared the stories behind the songs he played. One piece, called “Alfonsina and the
Sea,” is a mournful homage to Argentinian poet Alfonsina Storni. Living in Argentina in the 1800s, she
was vocal about the mistreatment and exclusion of women in literary and artistic circles.
Mr. Torres acknowledged that even today, many women deal with some of these same struggles that
Alfonsina struggled with so long ago, emphasizing jazz’s continued relevance as a genre that expresses
existence in an often-oppressive society.
In “Alfonsina and the Sea,” Mr. Torres’s flute was full of sadness, but the sound of his flute wore many
hats throughout the performance, at times whimsical, playful, and energetic, such as in an original
composition called “El Dorado,” inspired by the mythical golden kingdom said to have been somewhere
in the Americas.
Mr. Torres was joined onstage by Drs. Sarah Kim and Thomas Garcia to play some compositions
including guitar and cello. They ended the performance with a piece that had originally been written for
eight cellos, to mimic the sound of Brazilian guitar. However, they played a modified version written for
just one cello, a flute, and guitar. The instruments blended together beautifully, with immersive,
captivating sound, the cello acting as an anchor to the sounds of the guitar and flute.
Before the show was over, Mr. Torres held a Q&A session with the audience. He told stories of past
performances and gave advice to young musicians, all the while staying true to his down-to-earth,
vulnerable manner, even admitting to having missed some notes earlier in the performance. When asked what the biggest obstacle he had faced in his career, his answer was as quick as it was simple: “Myself,” he answered with a quick smile and a chuckle. But, he said, as a musician, it’s his job to “pour your heart out, imperfections and all. That’s life.”
After the concert concluded, refreshments were served, featuring many popular Latin American foods,
including churros, empanadas, and pupusas.