Eladio Torres
| Eladio Torres | |
|---|---|
| Born |
July 25, 1950 Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
| Genres | [[Music] [Music of Puerto Rico|Danza], Bolero, Folk, Pop] |
| Occupation(s) | Poet / Musician / Composer / Singer |
| Instruments | Guitar |
Eladio Torres, born in July 25, 1950, is a Puerto Rican poet, musician, composer and singer. His danza, "Tú Vives En Mi Pensamiento" (You Live In My Thoughts), is one of the most popular Puerto Rican Danzas of the 20th century. Many versions of this danza have been performed and recorded by various famous singers and musical groups.[1]
Early years
Torres was born in the City of Bayamón, Puerto Rico. At a young age he moved with his parents to the United States. When he was six years old, after watching Elvis Presley's performance in 1956 on The Ed Sullivan Show, he realized that he wanted to be a musician. After returning with his family to Puerto Rico in 1958, he was influenced by his maternal grandmother who would often talk to him about Puerto Rican music, culture and traditions. During his teen years he taught himself how to play the guitar, following groups like The Beatles and singer songwriters like Bob Dylan. By the time he was 17, he was composing his own songs. In the late 1960s, after he completed his high school years, he traveled to Spain to expand his creative and intellectual horizons.
Musical career
 You may listen to Luciano Quiñones piano interpretation of Torres' "Tu vives en mi Pensamiento" here | |
|
and to Danny Rivera's interpretation on YouTube |
Back in Puerto Rico, during the 70's Torres co-founded the group known as 'Alborada' (Light of Dawn), with a group of fellow musicians. He participated as a composer, musician and singer. Puerto Rican singer Danny Rivera joined the group, singing and recording a number of Torres' songs in the 'Danny Rivera Alborada' album. Among those songs Torres included his danza: "Tú Vives En Mi Pensamiento" (You Live In My Thoughts). Along with the success of the whole album, the unexpected insertion of "Tú Vives En Mi Pensamiento" ended up being a fundamental piece in the rebirth of the Danza genre in Puerto Rico. This composition is the second of a triptych of danzas that Torres titled "El Ideal" (The ideal), the first one being “Alma gemela” (Soul Mate), and the third one, the unpublished “Dama de mi Claridad” (Lady of My Clarity).
In the year 1978, Eladio recorded his album: 'Eladio Torres/Uno', as a singer and songwriter. As a poet, under the auspices of the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture (ICP), he published his book of poems: 'Poemas de la Dualidad' (Poems of Duality)[1][2]
Later years
Regardless of his multiple talents, of the success of his compositions and writings, Torres could not make a living in his native island. He moved back to the United States where he went to college at night, earning a degree in Psychology. He currently lives in the United States with his wife Heli Davila. He is a counseling specialist at a mental health clinic.[2]
On April 26, 1972, the Government of Puerto Rico approved 'Ley #20' (Law #20), which established "La Semana de la Danza" (Danza Week). In May 2010, the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, which was in charge of the festivities, dedicated "La Semana de la Danza" to Eladio Torres. Various versions of "Tú Vives En Mi Pensamiento" were played during Torres' tribute and recognition.[3]
See also
References
|