Néstor Torres is a Puerto Rican jazz flautist born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, in 1957. He began playing the flute at age 12, studying at the Escuela Libre de Música and later attending Puerto Rico's Inter-American University. At age 18, he moved with his family to New York. He went on to pursue classical and jazz flute studies at the Mannes School of Music, Berklee College of Music, and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
Torres's career blends Latin jazz, smooth jazz, and classical influences. In 2001, his album This Side Of Paradise won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album. In addition to his solo albums, Torres has composed orchestral and choral works including Successors, Marta y Maria, and Disarmament Suite, which was commissioned by the International Committee of Artists for Peace.
His recorded catalog spans from 1989 to 2024. His album releases include Sin Palabras (Without Words) in 2004, Dances, Prayers, & Meditations For Peace in 2006, Nouveau Latino in 2008, Del Caribe, Soy!: Latin American Flute Music in 2017, and Jazz Flute Traditions in 2018. In 2022, he released the albums Celebrando a Aragon and Dominican Suite, followed in 2024 by the singles El Cumbanchero and ONE PEACE.
