The Latin Grammy’s special recognition of his musical legacy spanning seven decades as leader of Los Hispanos will undoubtedly be received with great enthusiasm. But for Wisón Torres, the award means much more than just a prize. It is a symbol of perseverance, the determination to strive for what one believes in and the commitment to evolve on a musical level without abandoning the essence that has captivated the audience.
“I still don’t believe it,” he told Primera Hora a few days before receiving the Musical Excellence Award, which he will receive this Sunday in Seville, Spain, in a special ceremony as part of the Latin American version of the Grammys. The meeting also honored the careers of personalities such as Ana Torroja, Mijares, Soda Stereo, Arturo Sandoval, Carmen Linares, Simone, Álex Acuña and Gustavo Santaolalla.
Famed Dominican arranger Manuel Tejada was largely responsible for promoting this recognition after nominating Los Hispanos. But the academy council unanimously decided to specifically honor Torres: “To be honest, I never expected anything like this. It was an immense surprise. “As if in that moment you realize everything that has happened in so many years, because there are many, there are about 70,” he added during a break in rehearsals for the concert “Los Hispanos: Canciones de una vida,” which he will present with the Puerto Rico Philharmonic at the Santurce Fine Arts Center (CBA) on November 26th at 6:00 p.m. He began to look through the memories with great pride.
“I started a little earlier with other trios. I have been involved in music for about 77 years,” he continued, recounting how he discovered his love for the art very early in his childhood.
At the age of 7 he learned to play the guitar and at 12 he founded the trio Los Sultanes. “From the beginning, those of Los Panchos, Los Tres Ases, Trío Vegabajeño, I dared to do different things.”
He founded the quartet Los Hispanos in 1951 and over time sought to give a distinctive musical touch by experimenting with elements of jazz, bossa nova and ballads, including beyond the bolero. He does not recognize the musical group’s merits alone.
The leader of the famous trio received the Musical Excellence Award from the Latin Grammys yesterday Sunday at a ceremony in Seville, Spain. (Included)“I was lucky to have very good singers in the group,” he said. “A Charlie Vázquez, (Rafael) Tato Díaz, Norman Casiano, Tito Lara… There were 19 different versions of Los Hispanos,” he celebrated with joy, reviewing numerous presentations that, in addition to their homeland, also took them to destinations in the United States States, Europe and Latin America. One of these was during a series of performances in London in 1962 for the series “Broadway Goes Latin,” where they sang in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II of England.
“It was about making a command appearance in front of the queen,” he recalled of the event, where he was able to see her up close.
Along the way, he recalled the success of Los Hispanos in Mexico, New York and many other countries, which confirmed that his musical legacy would endure for a long time.
With the Philharmonic Orchestra
The next music evening at the CBA will be a journey full of romance and nostalgia. “Above all, we celebrate the joy of being together. And to be alive. At this point I will be 90 years old. “I never thought I would have the happiness that the Lord would give me… This is a gift, a gift that he gave me,” said Torres, who praises the performance of his son Rafy as well as new members Riky Reyes and Edgar Omar Rios. .
The connection between the voices is one of the aspects that he likes.
“It’s not just about having smart, talented teammates, such good, loving people, a family. “It’s such a special, so beautiful chemistry that has developed that I’m on a cloud,” added the leader of the quartet, which is responsible for hits such as Amor Perdoname, Vereda Tropical, I Believe in God, The Bells Ring, That’s My Land and Ask is responsible for What There Is, among dozens of classics. “The boys have a special talent. “It’s lucky they agreed to take me on this adventure.”
In addition, it is the first show after almost two years off the stage. “We haven’t sung a note since the pandemic began. We didn’t sing for almost three years, except for one show on Isla Verde.
The Puerto Rico Philharmonic will complement the presentation, which will of course also include moments with trio dynamics.
“You sing with such a great background. There are 57 musicians, we also have four more saxophones, two requintos and a cuatro. It will be very rich musically.”
For his son Rafy, whom he describes as “his right hand man,” sharing the stage with his father is a job that he takes great pride in. “We have been there for about 32 years,” reviewed the trombonist, who has loved music since childhood and the example of his father, observing the affection of the fans and their presence on television.
“They were completely immersed in the homes of the Puerto Rican people and sang in every square. I was little and went with him. “He always took us everywhere,” he remembers.
Regarding the show, he announced that “it will span several decades and will perform different styles of music that they worked on depending on the time period they lived in, which makes it a little more interesting in terms of the variety of styles. His brother Wisón Torres Jr. will be the show’s musical director.
Riky Reyes talked about the influence of Los Hispanos on his musical education.
“The beauty of Los Hispanos’ music is that it unites generations. My parents heard these songs. And I listen to them and remember the time when my dad heard them on the radio, at Christmas parties and also on Valentine’s Day,” he said.
Reyes, who has made part of his artistic career as a singer of sacred music, agreed to join the group at the invitation of Wisón Torres, after singing in several presentations of the quartet since 2019.
“Hispanics have marked a milestone in the music history of Puerto Rico,” said former member of the pop-rock group Formando Líos enthusiastically.
Edgar Omar Ríos values the learning he received from Wisón Torres and the opportunity to be part of the legendary quartet.
“There are many shoes, labels and ties that have passed through Los Hispanos and for me it is a great responsibility, a privilege, an honor that cannot be ignored,” said the jazz artist, who works on projects as part of Sonido was involved. Tré and as a member of Nota, which won “The Sing-Off” competition for singing groups on the NBC network in the United States. “The last few months have been a master class for me.”
Tickets for “Los Hispanos: Canciones de una vida” are available at the Ticket Center.