"Hailing from Puerto Rico, bassist and composer Joan Torres is on the forefront of progressive jazz."
–Morena Duwe, The Huffington Post

Early Life

From a young age, Joan Torres was drawn to music. Even though he often played around with instruments he found around his home it was not until he was 10 years old that he decided to take music more seriously and learn to play an instrument in order perform with others. He chose the bass and his life was changed forever.

He began studying the instrument, first with an instructor then on his own, formed a band with a couple of friends from school while still in 8th grade.

In the year 2003, a Berklee College alumnus and music industry veteran named Orlando Collado took over as director of his school's music program. Torres joined the school's choir, directed by Collado, and it was the modern, seasoned, and honest approach of Collado led to him becoming a mentor as well as friend for Torres. With newfound interest in expanding his musical horizons in order to eventually compose music, Torres decided to enroll in the after-school Stevan Micheo Music Academy. There Torres met his drummer counterpart with whom he has worked in many endeavors throughout the years, Fernando Garcia. During his time at Micheo Music, he acquired the core for his musical knowledge. He studied the electric bass, reading and performing in Jazz under bassist Joel Marrero. He learned the basics of Jazz harmony and theory under guitarist Antonio Caraballo. Caraballo became another mentor and big influence in finally pushing Torres to begin actively exploring composition.

In 2004, Torres auditioned for the Berklee in Puerto Rico workshops for the first time. He was among the chosen to take part in the workshops. These workshops opened the door to a lot of musical knowledge, sharing opportunities, and mentorship. It was during this time he met another one of his mentors, the four time GRAMMY-award winning bassist and educator, Oscar Stagnaro.

He continued to attend the Berklee in Puerto Rico program for a couple of years meeting many musicians, including some who would be responsible for getting him playing his first Jazz gigs. Additionally, he attended the Berklee Summer Performance Program in Boston later that summer. There he studied with many world-renowned musicians, most notably his bass instructor, Matthew Garrison, considered one of the most technically gifted jazz musicians of his generation. Torres also met vibraphonist and composer Victor Mendoza who was directing a "Salsa Ensemble" he asked Torres to join. Torres was awarded with a scholarship to attend Berklee College as a full-time student at the end of the summer program.

Once back in Puerto Rico, Torres was driven to grow his musical awareness. He was lucky enough to be invited to join many different projects which allowed him to gain experience in a wider set of genres than most people are exposed to. He joined a Puerto Rican Plena orchestra named "Plena Juventud" with fellow musician Gabriel Lugo. He also joined the "Indaka Jazz Quartet" where he met guitarist Gabriel Vicens. Lastly, he joined a new Reggae group who had been looking for a bassist. That group eventually became the local indie group "Raices Rusticas".

Torres was lucky enough to learn from a diverse number of experiences. The ensemble he was a part of during the Berklee in Puerto Rico workshops was chosen to play at the Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest (June 4th, 2006). He met local bass legend Tony Batista who became a friend, teacher, and a big influence on developing his skills. It was with Batista that Torres began to study the upright bass. Furthermore, Raices Rusticas landed a spot opening for Grammy-winning Puerto Rican rock band Black Guayaba at the Arena Pier Ten (September 9, 2006). This was the first show where Raices Rusticas performed original music. Additionally, through many gigs, shows, and jam sessions he got a chance to play with many people such as Mario Castro, Jeremy de Jesus, Marcos Lopez, Enrique Trinidad, Sergio Gonzalez, Gerson Orjuela.

After graduating high school and moving to the town of Mayaguez to study engineering, he joined the University's Choir "Coral Universitaria". After one semester there, the director asked him to move to the university's more exclusive chamber choir "Corium Canticus" in which he stayed for the next 4 years. During his time there, the choir was chosen to take part in a competition in Argentina in 2008. The score of their performance there earned them a gold medal.

Torres was awarded another scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in May of 2007, his last time attending the Berklee in Puerto Rico workshops. He was also once again part of the ensemble chosen to play at the Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest (June 3rd).

Raices Rusticas

Around the Summer of 2009 Raices Rusticas decided to focus their efforts on their original material. That year they hit major milestones. They started recording new original songs and releasing them as singles. For one of these singles, "Free Taste", they got the chance to film a music video. Raices Rusticas were also chosen as one of the 13 Reggae bands which would represent Puerto Rico's Reggae movement in the first of Sembrando Semillas compilation albums.

The following year, they had the chance to perform throughout the island of Puerto Rico in the Reggae Road Trip, Sembrando Semillas's Summer tour. Their single in the Sembrando Semillas album, "Suerte", was very well received by the public. Thanks to that they earned many new fans and wider exposition — so much so that their song was featured in the Rip Curl Pro Search 2010 radio promos. This event was held in Isabela, Puerto Rico which made it easier for them to earn an invitation to perform on the afternoon of October 30th.

After the success of the Sembrando Semillas movement, Torres was able to launch the website www.CulturaJazz.com, dedicated to promoting the Jazz scene in Puerto Rico. The project grew enough so that in 2011 they were recognized as press in local events including the Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest. However, the community began to dwindle and on April 26, 2014 CulturaJazz closed down after 4 years of service.

All Is Fused

In Summer 2011, long-time friend, guitarist Gabriel Vicens and Torres himself started their own project, a Modern Jazz Quintet playing original music. This project eventually became two separate projects; one of them being the Gabriel Vicens Quintet, in which Joan Torres took part for its earliest incarnation.

Before

Torres decided to revisit some of the compositions he had made over the years along with exploring new ideas which had come along. He began nourishing those ideas until he managed to get a repertoire of original music together. Once that part was done he recruited a new group of people to perform these Modern Jazz Fusion tunes. It can be said that these tunes synthesize a number of his musical experiences and influences over the years. Torres drew so many different experiences in his composition which is why he decided to name his group as All Is Fused. The group performed for the first time at the legendary nightspot, Nuyorican Cafe in Old San Juan, on December 21st, 2011. Then everybody came together to record their debut album on January 10 and 11, 2012 at Playbach Studio. The album features Sergio Gonzalez, David Ojeda, Fernando Garcia, Jonathan Suazo, and Gabriel Vicens. It was released May 21, 2012.

Before was received well by the critics which earned new opportunities for both Torres and the group. During the first half of 2013, Torres performed with many well-known local artists such as singer-songwriters Fana and Rique Colon. He along with drummer Fernando Garcia offered drum and bass clinics at Stevan Micheo Music. In February, the group was invited to a Jazz forum for the community of the Puerto Rico Music Conservatory. In March 2013, Joan Torres's All Is Fused and their critically-acclaimed debut album received nominations in two categories for the 12th Annual Independent Music Awards. During November 2013, they went on tour through New Orleans, Louisiana. Once they returned home they started working on their second album.

The Beginning

Torres began working on a new concept for the second All Is Fused album. The music is very different from the first one, having a darker mood and more intense tone. However, as the music was written by the same person it can be said that it is a new chapter on the same musical adventure. The Beginning was recorded on February 24 and 25, 2014 at Playbach Studio, featuring most of the same musicians: Sergio Gonzalez and Gabriel Vicens on Guitars, Fernando Garcia on Drums, Jonathan Suazo on Alto Sax, with new additions of Emanuel Rivera on Piano and Gerson Orjuela on Drums.

On April 27, 2014 the group was invited to perform at Heineken's Ventana al JazzFest in Condado, Puerto Rico. Additionally, the ensemble launched an indiegogo campaign to help fund the completion of this album which was successfully funded on May 2, 2014. The Beginning was released August 21, 2014.

During 2015 The Beginning received numerous positive reviews and was featured in publications such as The Huffington Post. Additionally, the album received a nomination in the 14th Annual Independent Music Awards (the group's third IMA nomination). On February 24, 2016, The Independent Music Awards named The Beginning the people's choice in the category of Fusion Album.

Of the Musical

After moving to San Francisco, California and sharing the stage with local veterans such as Sandor Moss, Eduardo Corzo, Julius Melendez, and Calvin Keys, Torres started planning for the third All Is Fused album. During the month of June 2016, All Is Fused spent their time preparing for the recording of this album. They debuted the music of this new album on June 24 at The Center in San Francisco, California. They recorded this new album at the historic and influential Different Fur Studios in San Francisco between June 27 and 29. Grammy winner Dave Darlington mixed and mastered the album. Of the Musical was released November 21, 2016 to critical-acclaim.

Of the Musical received a lot of praise from critics who loved the group's ability to go beyond just musical complexity and technical dexterity in order to weave in emotive moods and true sonic narrative. The album received two nominations at the 16th Annual Independent Music Awards and Torres himself earned a third nomination in the category of Best Music Producer for Jazz.

Joan Torres Music Presents & REVOLUTION

Around the Summer of 2018 Torres announced an event called Joan Torres Music Presents. This event took place on August 23, 2018 at the SFJAZZ Center. It featured All Is Fused as the headliner of the night, Barely Jazz Ensemble as the second set, and none other than the great Michael Manring, a revolutionary musician whose work on the bass has influenced many (including Torres), opened the night with a solo bass set. Manring and Torres shared the stage that night for a tune. Trumpet player Julius Melendez was also a special guest that night performing with the Barely Jazz Ensemble.

As part of the All Is Fused set, the group premiered music that would soon be featured on their upcoming fourth album. The group returned to Different Fur Studios for the recording sessions of this album which took place between August 24 and 26. The album features several special guests including trumpet player Julius Meléndez and percussionist Paoli Mejías.REVOLUTION, was released in April 21, 2019 to critical acclaim.