TOMMY TORRES CELEBRATES 20 YEARS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

The Sultan of Mayagüez sells out the performance at El Choli

by Dede Vidal

COPYRIGHT 2020 BY DEDE VIDAL  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

It is customary for Tommy Torres to celebrate Valentine's Day at the Puerto Rico Coliseum. Yet, this was more than a day of friendship and love. It was a day for the Sultan of Mayagüez to celebrate twenty years in the music business, with much success.

By much demand from the fans, the Choli opened all sections, making it a sold-out performance. There were special guests, the debut of his new single, and songs to take a trip through memory lane. Tommy also found a segment to pay it forward by introducing new talent.

The event did not start at the scheduled time. But, the audience was calm and, at the same time, excited to see their local star. The fans rose from their chairs to welcome Tommy Torres. He opened the show with "Como antes," his most recent single. He followed with "Mar adentro," "De rodillas," and a medley from his first album.

COPYRIGHT 2020 BY DEDE VIDAL  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

"Years go by, and it still feels the same," said the singer-songwriter. After a set of love songs and pop ballads, Torres exploded with "Vinito pa'l corazón," which electrified the audience.

Torres presented Ismael Estapa to his very first gig. "In the same way that Ednita Nazario gave me the opportunity twenty years ago, it is my chance to pay it forward," he said. The public received the apprentice singer well. Estapa secured his future career by singing "Dame esta noche" with Tommy.

Another set of song included “Tres minutos”, “Desde hoy”, "Corazón roto", "Fin de capítulo", "Quédate", "Mientras tanto", "Un poquito", "Perderme en ti", "Querido Tommy", and more. 

Torres could not miss the time to dedicate "Tu y yo" to his daughter, and "Pegadito" to his wife, Karla Monroig. Both mother and daughter were present at the concert.

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Jesús Navarro (lead vocalist of Reik) was one of the special guests. He sang “Aunque no deba” and “Noviembre sin ti” with Torres. 

Another guest was the "cuatrista"* Christian Nieves. With cuatro in hand, Nieves played background for the Sultan with "Por un beso." It followed with a medley of songs like "Borinquen bella," "Tu recuerdo," "3 A.M." and "Pégate," along with Tito Matos's Pleneros.**

"The plena*** is like petroleum. We have not been able to exploit it. You play plena in any part of the world, and people start moving, even people without rhythm like me. Otherwise, I do as when I was at school. They will ask me to dance La pelúa,", he said laughing while the audience began to sing the song, making Torres dance.

Another trip to memory lane was in store for the evening. Tommy not only sang his original songs. He also paid tribute to Jaci Velázquez, Jesse and Joy and Alejandro Sanz with a medley.

Two big moments emerged at the concert. One was the presentation of Mariana, his niece, to “Imparable.” The other was his performance with Ednita Nazario, to sing “Confesados” y “Tu sabes bien.” 

Tommy Torres is an important composer and performer in Latin American music. He also had a full house for his second performance the following evening.  

COPYRIGHT 2020 BY DEDE VIDAL  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

H.A.P.P.Y. Radio wholeheartedly recommends seeing Tommy Torres in concert. For more information, visit www.tommytorres.com for news and upcoming events.