Cuban salsa 'master' Juan Pablo Torres dies at 59

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

MIAMI, USA (AFP): Cuban salsa legend Juan Pablo Torres, member of the group "Cuban Masters," has died at the age of 59, producer Horacio Garcia announced Monday.

Torres, who also played alongside Cachao and Patato Valdez, died late Sunday in Miami of an inoperable brain tumor after spending days in a coma, Garcia said.

Torres was one of the top trombonists in Cuban music, and recorded more than a dozen albums with the likes of Bebo Valdez, Tito Puente, Paquito D'Rivera and Arturo Sandoval.

"Torres was, and will forever remain, one of the true giants not only of Cuban rhythm, but of music history. The Cuban nation owes him a debt of gratitude," Garcia said in a statement.

The trombonist was born in Puerto Padre, Cuba, in 1946.

In 2001, he joined the "Cuban Masters, Los originales" with Cachao Lopez, Patato Valdez, Jose Fajardo and Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros. Their album was nominated for a Grammy as well as a Latin Grammy.

He is survived by his wife and six children.

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