Latin Yazz Flute

Maybe you never recognized the marvels of the flute ’cause back in eighth grade you had to puff out the Smurfs theme song in marching band. That’ll all change when award-winning Cuban flutist Nestor Torres unfurls a sweet mix of rumba-symphonic compositions. Torres, who won a Latin Grammy for his 2001 album, This Side of Paradise, is the first headlining artist to collaborate with Orchestra Miami, a new professional ensemble exploring the many facets of this city’s diverse sound machine.

Under the direction of Elaine Rinaldi, Torres and the band will travel back to the flute’s classic Cuban roots with a bit of danzón, and then forward into some lively rumba. This show will also mark the world premiere of the song “Arcaño al Bate,” by late musical maestro Cachao, to whom Torres is expected to pay a long-winded but harmonious tribute. Who knows, orchestral maneuvers such as these just might prompt you to go home and blow years-old spit out of your mouthpiece in an attempt to imitate a man who’s performed the works of Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter. It begins at 8 p.m. at Miami-Dade County Auditorium.
Fri., April 18, 8 p.m., 2008