¿QUE PASA? How did the members of the orchestra meet?
ALEX:The band was started on October 28th, 1980 in Amsterdam, New York. Some members were called and asked to join while others came as referrals from guys in the band already. Many had in other groups together.

¿QUE PASA? What is it about Latin music that inspires the orchestra?
ALEX: What inspires us about Latin music are many things. First, like any other art form it is a release, a way to dissiminate an idea. The many rhythms from other Latino countries that can be used as a vehicle to propell the idea. (ie. tango, cumbia, joropo, mambo, etc.) The clave (of course) and the interaction from the audience, in this case the dancers.

¿QUE PASA? Which Latin bands have influenced the band the most?
ALEX: Many bands have influenced our band. I'm sure I'm not alone in this category when I mention El Gran Combo, Cortijo, Machito, Tito Rodriguez, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Wilfrido Vargas, Johnny Ventura and YES...Trio Los Condes !

¿QUE PASA? Explain a bit about the dynamics and versatility of the group. ALEX: Again, like many other groups out there we have a uniqueness about us. Not to mention versatility. In our group we have the musically educated and street educated. While some of the musicians are well versed in polyrhythms we have those in the band that are well versed in arranging, chords and the upper structured triads !

¿QUE PASA? How difficult (or easy!) is it to write and perform your own material?
ALEX:. Since we only perform originals (for the past 27 years) some songs are easier than others. Depending on the song's chords & arrangement a tune can be just plain fun keeping the guajeo and tumbao simple so people can just enjoy the trance or it can be a complex arrangement where the horns have a hard "lick" or the percussion has to be really tight on the "breaks." But I don't play for other musicians..I play for the dancers

¿QUE PASA? When and where did the orchestra get its first major break?
ALEX: The orchestra got it first major break opening up for Dr. Eddie Palmieri at the Troy Music Hall.

¿QUE PASA? Are there plans for the Alex Torres Orchestra to perform outside of the USA?
ALEX: We are definitely getting some awesome airplay all over the globe and we truly hope to visit some of our fans in those respective countries. Hopefully the festivals and promoters will be willing to have us. It would truly be an honor.

¿QUE PASA? Are your audiences mostly salsa dancers and can the members of the band dance salsa?
ALEX: Our audience, depending on where we perform, are mostly salsa and merengue dancers. You'd be amazed to see someone actually dancing salsa in some out of the way places where some of the locals still think "salsa" is a dip !

¿QUE PASA? Which do you enjoy the most: touring live or recording albums, and why?
ALEX:Touring live and recording are the most coolest things about this art form. Visiting different places are intriguing and at least speaking for some of my bandmates, we want to know the history, population, & places of interest. Of course performing for the fans and watching their expressions and body movements are part of the excitement. The recording aspect is the documentation. Extremely important. Think about it...the pyramids in Egypt, cave drawings, etc are time machines - windows into a culture,period, a moment, an expression. Being an audiophile, collecting old recordings, following
musicians' biographies are a hobby of mine. You can appreciate and/or witness an artists'
growth, wacky period in life and/or their descent. Most importantly to me is that a fan can actually possess a piece of the artist, a documentation and enjoy it at their leisure.

¿QUE PASA? Has the AT orchestra’s approach to music changed since its inception.
ALEX: As we mature (age and musically-although that can be rebutted), we do change. Some of us drastically while others not to drastic.We listen to things from a different perspective. However, we still mix up the rhythms on stage.From the onset we've always performed salsa and merengue and other Latin rhythms.

¿QUE PASA? Has your high profile via radio and weekly performances enhanced the orchestra’s success in other ventures?
ALEX: Thanks to the DJ's (club and radio) all over the world we have had tremendous accolades, garnished some awards and have had festivals call us that probably would not have known us if it were not for them.

¿QUE PASA? What’s next in the pipeline for the AT Orchestra?
ALEX: We are currently writing new material for our 9th cd. Hopefully get it out to our fans next year

¿QUE PASA? What has been the single most exciting experience for the orchestra since its inception?
ALEX: The single most exciting experience for us has to be the Montreal Jazz Festival. Great festival great people, an incredible amount of talent and super hospitality !

¿QUE PASA? Has the AT Orchestra already reached its pinnacle, or is there a burning ambition that has yet to be realised?
ALEX: We enjoy performing alongside any band. My thinking is if we share the stage with a relatively new band that is just starting out then they can learn form us and if we share the stage with the big named guys then we can learn from them. That is what's important to me - sharing.

¿QUE PASA? Has the AT Orchestra already reached its pinnacle, or is there a burning ambition that has yet to be realised?
ALEX: We most definitely have not reached our pinnacle, apex. It's most gratifying to take small steps and taking the time to value them & learn. At this very moment if I look back at my music, my career, I can honestly be grateful and can also honestly say that it wasn't given to me for free. The one and only true burning ambition is to be loved by our fans all over the world. If I make them dance and feel good- then I've done my job as an artist.

(For further information on concerts or to order a CD, check out Alex Torres ’s website on /www.alextorres.com.)