Elsten Torres

Elsten Torres (originally Listoriel Leyva Torres) was born in Havana, Cuba during the height of the Cuban Revolution. His father Emigdio Torres was already a political prisoner when Elsten was born. His mother Elsa Torres, left Cuba when Elsten was only a year and half old witis older brother Dorian E. Torres age five at the time, and arrived in New York City. It was in New York that Elsten began his love for music. One of his uncles, Listoriel Torres, was a singer/songwriter who had some success back in Havana, would always sing his songs about Cuba at family gatherings. Elsten began seriously learning the guitar at the age of twelve. By the time he was sixteen, he was in his first rock band named “Refugee” with some of his local neighborhood friends. At one show, the lead singer never made it, so Elsten was asked to take the role of lead singer as well as lead guitarist, and from that moment on, his love for singing began. He wrote his first song at the age of sixteen from a love note he found on the floor of his high school English class. The song was called, “Girl, the world is changing fast”.

Rebelde Sin Causa--Ataque--Back cover with credits. Circa 1992

Elsten began playing the guitar had the age of sixteen. He took a few years of private lessons with various teachers. He was profoundly influenced by artists such as: The Beatles, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Elvis Presley, Elvis Costello, Benny Moré, U2 and some others. His first real serious band was called, “Mistaken Identity” then followed by his first Latin rock band, “Rebelde Sin Causa”. With R.S.C., Elsten recorded his first professional album, Ataque with his music partner, Leonardo "Jason X" Perez, on Mexican rock label, Discos Gas. This album took the duo through a tour of Mexico and some islands in the Caribbean in the early 1990s, some songs charting as high as number one in some Caribbean markets. Elsten with his newfound appreciation for Latin music, moved to Miami, Florida in 1994. It is in Miami, where Elsten first records with the independent label, “Radio Vox” under the artistic name of “Fulano De Tal”. The first single was the Cuban protest anthem, Revolucion. With the success of Revolucion, Elsten put the band together that would become “Fulano De Tal.” The original members were; drummer – Brendan Buckley, guitarist - Julian Adam Zimmon, and bassist – Leo Nobre. Nobre left the band right before the band was to record their major label debut, Normal through BMG/RCA, and was replaced by bassist – John M. Falcone. Fulano de Ta' released two full-length albums, Normal (BMG/RCA), and Etc. (Radio Vox/DLN.) The band officially broke up in 2001. In 2006, Elsten released his first solo album, the Grammy-nominated independent album, “Individual.”

2005 Latin GRAMMY Nomination for Song of the Year "Todo el Año" Obie Bermudez

Elsten Torres was married to Beatriz Marta Arencibia also known as – Bozenka from 2001–2010. Bozenka is an internationally known belly dancer, who is critically acclaimed and has received many awards and recognition for her dancing. Elsten is the son of Emigdio Torres (deceased) and Elsa Torres who also resides in Miami, Florida. He has one older brother, Dorian Emgidio Torres, who is a Miami-Dade firefighter. Dorian has three daughters, Chloe, Bianca, and Emily Torres. Elsten also has a paternal half brother living in Havana, Cuba that he has never met. His name is Juan Antonio Torres.

Elsten Torres has just released first all=English album Waiting for Clouds on January 24, 2013. He begins touring in the early spring of 2013 opening for The Original Family Stone & The Spinners.

The Elsten Torres discography is as follows:

• “Ataque” (Rebelde Sin Causa) – Discos Gas/Mexico - 1992
• “Revolucion” (Fulano De Tal) – Maxi – single – Radio Vox Records -1995
• “Normal” – (Fulano De Tal) – BMG/RCA - 1997
• “Etc.” – (Fulano) – Radio Vox/DLN - 2000
• “Individual” – (Fulano/Elsten Torres) – FM Records -2006
• “If You Say So” – (Elsten Torres) – Uno Entertainment – 2008
• "Waiting for Clouds"= (Elsten Torres)- Real Artificial Music-2013

• Latin Laugh Festival – BMG/RCA – 1998
• Tributo to the Cure – WEA Latina – 1999
• Una Decada de Rock – BMG - 2000

Elsten Torres is a prolific songwriter having written over five hundred songs so far in his career. Some of the notable songs are:

• Los Demas (top ten Billboard hit with Julio Iglesias jr.)
• Cristina Maria (Hit single from the album, “Normal”)
• No Soy Gringo (Hit single from the album, “Normal”)
• Caramelo (Hit single for Alejandra Guzman)
• Dejala Que Baile (Hit song for Michael Stuart)
• Todo El Año (Billboard #1 song with Obie Bermudez)
• Por Una Mujer (Billboard top 20 song for Luis Fonsi)
• Olvidare (hit single and video from the album, “Individual”)
• Selfish (Hit single from the album, “Normal”)
• Normal (Hit single from the album, “Normal”)
• Dando Vueltas (hit single and video from the album, “Individual”)
• Como Ayer (song for Jimena Anger for her grammy nominated album Día Azul)
• Closer Tonight (features on Huawei smartphones as default music))

• Elsten Official Site