Samuel Torres was born in Bogota, Colombia. He graduated in Music Composition from Universidad Javeriana of Bogota. He started playing at age twelve and recalls learning a great deal from in-home jam sessions with friends of his musically inclined grand parents and relatives and began playing around with different bands in his hometown at age 14.



Although a classically trained percussionist, Samuel was drawn by the sound and rhythms of different styles, especially Latin and jazz.



In 1998 he traveled to the United States. Upon his arrival to the US Samuel has played with renowned jazz artists such as the late Tito Puente, The Boston Pops, Chick Corea, Poncho Sanchez, Pete Escovedo, Dave Valentin, Michael Brecker, Don Byron, Shakira, Marc Anthony and Claudio Roditi amongst others. He has also performed as a guest of the Florida International University.



At present, Samuel is performing regularly with multi-award winner (including a Grammy Award), Cuban trumpet player Arturo Sandoval with whom he continues to tour throughout the world. Is is also performing with worldwide renown African bassist and singer Richard Bona.



He was awarded Second Place at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition 2000 and recently composed the music and produced the instructional DVD entitled “Drum Solos Revisited” for the musical instrument manufacturer Latin Percussion-LP which will be distributed by Warner Brothers worldwide. Among the featured players performing with Samuel will be Grammy-winning bassist John Benitez and critically acclaimed pianist Hector Martignon.