First Annual International Salsa Musician's Seminar

Latin Beat Magazine, Feb, 2004

This year's 6th Annual West Coast Salsa Congress will be hosting over 40 dance workshops and several special new seminars including a the 1st International Salsa Musicians Seminar. Scheduled to be held on May 24 and 25, this workshop/seminar will give musicians from all walks of life the opportunity to train and learn for two days approximately four to five hours per day) in the intimacy el a small group; the tricks, facts and rules of salsa music from some of the top musicians in the business. Upon to all ages, there are no prerequisites for these workshops but for those planning to participate in the piano, bass or horn classes, sight music reading in a plus. You must indicate if you are a beginner, intermediate or experienced musician or singer. Classes will be divided by instruments and will be limited to 15 musicians per class.

Upon registration, each participant will decide on the class they will be attending. All participants will be receiving a Certificate of Attendance upon completion of the seminar. All the instructors of the seminar will sign the certificates. In addition, all instructors will be selecting and or two students from each class to be a part of the First ATP Salsa Congress Band. The selected musicians will be rehearsing on Wednesday, May 26 and Thursday, May 27; performing Thursday night on the opening of the 6th Annual West Coast Salsa Congress. During the encore, the instructors will join in with the band. The seminar musical director and piano instructor Oscar Hernández, as well as the honorary musical director Johnny Pacheco, will conduct all rehearsals and make all the arrangements.

Be a part of this historical seminar and concert event as you shine in front of over 75 worldwide press organizations and some at the top salsa promoters and agents from all over the world, not to mention thousands of salsa lovers.

The cost per student for the seminar is $275 U.S.D. It includes the two-day seminar, entrance to the Wednesday Pre-Congress Party and the Thursday evening Opening Night Party.

Bios on all the instructors will be posted very soon on the website: www.alberttorresevents.com.

Confirmed instructors include: Oscar Hernández (piano and musical director of the seminar), Andy González (bass), Bobby Allende (congas), China Núñez (new school timbal and bongó), Manny Oquendo (old school timbal and bongó), Jimmy Bosch/trombone, John Walsh (trumpet), Mitch Frohman (saxophones/baritone and tenor), Ray Be La Paz and Frankie Vásquez (vocals).

Registration began en January 5, 2004. All classes will sell out quickly! See you at the congress!