Research Catalog

Title

Interview with Eddie Torres [sound recording]

Author

Torres, Eddie

Publication

2001.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Duggan, Diane.

Description

3 sound cassettes (ca. 220 min.) +

Summary

• Cassette 1. 8/30/01 (ca. 50 min.). Duggan gives a short biographical sketch of Torres; Torres describes his background and how he first became involved in dance; the development of mambo from the Palladium dancers onwards; the influence in his life of ballroom dance teacher June Laberta; the international appeal of mambo music and dance; some of his personal goals; the upcoming feature film based on his life.
• Cassette 2. 9/03/01 (ca. 80 min.). Torres describes his admiration for Tito Puente and his aspiration as a young man to work with him; describes his first chance to do so and his ongoing performances with Puente and work with his music; Torres' personal ambitions from an early age; his teaching and influence in the field; the heritage of latin dance and the terms mambo and salsa; the importance of the roots of both the dance and the music; in depth discussion of phrasing, rhythm and theoretical concerns relating to dancing on different beats and Torres' personal preferences; his feeling about the change toward a more theoretical approach to the dancing; the difference between logic and instinct in dancing; his creative process.
• Cassette 3. 10/07/01 (ca. 90 min.). Discusses the use of breaks in the music; the parts of the dance known as open shines; some of the steps he has invented; his creative process; loss of originality in today's more formally trained dancers; his approach to dancing; his identity and reflections on his own achievements; more on his relationship with Tito Puente and his appreciation for his work and their relationship; his hopes for the development of mambo; his personal development as a teacher; his observations of the current renewed interest in latin dance; the appeal of partner dancing. Interview ends abruptly.

Donor/Sponsor

National Endowment for the Arts, 2001-2002.

Alternative Title

• Dance Oral History Project.
• Dance Audio Archive.

Subjects

• Torres, Eddie
• Torres, Eddie > Interviews
• Palladium (New York, N. Y., Broadway and 53rd st.)
• Laberta, June
• Salsa (Dance)
• Latin dancing > Study and teaching
• Mambo (Dance)
• Puente, Tito, 1923-2000
• Palladium mambo (Dance)
• Audiotapes > Torres, E

Note

• Interview conducted by Diane Duggan in three sessions on Aug. 30, 2001, Sept. 3, 2001, and Oct. 7, 2001.
• For transcript see: *MGZMT 3-2335.
• "June Laberta" may also be spelled "June LaBerta."

Access (note)

• Transcripts may not be photographed or reproduced without permission.

Funding (note)

• Preservation was made possible in part with public funds from the National Endowoment for the Arts, 2001-2002.

Call Number

*MGZMT 3-2335

OCLC

NYPY02-R56

Author

Torres, Eddie, interviewee.

Title

Interview with Eddie Torres [sound recording]

Imprint

2001.

Funding

Preservation was made possible in part with public funds from the National Endowoment for the Arts, 2001-2002.

Restricted Access

Transcripts may not be photographed or reproduced without permission.

Local Subject

Palladium mambo (Dance)

Latin dancing.

Latin dancing -- Study and teaching.

Audiotapes -- Torres, E.

Added Author

Duggan, Diane. Interviewer

Research Call Number

*MGZMT 3-2335 [Transcript]

*MGZTC 3-2335 (sound cassettes)