Offering a versatile repertoire in English, Portuguese and Spanish; Lisa Andrea Torres a San Francisco Bay Area native based part-time in Miami, has been performing in the US, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, and Mexico for the past 19 years five of which were spent in Rio and São Paulo.

Expressing warmth and versatility, Lisa’s vocal style and musical arrangements combine many elements of contemporary jazz and pop, with Brazilian bossa nova and samba, as reflected in her debut ‘jazz meets techno’ CD entitled “The Seventh Sense”.

Innovative and rhythmic it offers a fresh take on classics like Burt Bacharach’s “The Look of Love”, Brazilian composer Jorge Benjor’s “Mas Que Nada”, and Milton Nascimento’s “Nada Será Como Antes”. Accompanied by original compositions, this album offers enough diversity and musicianship to entice any ear.

Working with musicians from diverse backgrounds, this CD was conceived by combining elements of contemporary American and Brazilian jazz and pop fused with electronic drums to create a jazzy ‘chill-out’ sound.

With no shortage of ideas, this project features inspired performances by Miami locals Greg Diazon sax, flute, and vocal duet; Stewart King on trumpet; Phil Jelatis on keyboard; and Venezuelan bassist Gaby Vivas.

Contributing innovative performances as well as engineering skills were Brazilian arranger and pianist Pedro Ferreira; guitarist and engineer Claudio Spiewak; and drummer and percussionist Antonio ‘Magrus’ Borges.

Experience and expertise by cutting-edge producer Marteen of Zone Productions in Miami whose sensitive and precise post production, mixing, and mastering on 6 of the 9 tracks with state-of-the-art equipment definitely gave The Seventh Sense it’s final polish.

Premiere pianist and arranger Merrill Hoover who had accompanied vocalists such as Anita O’Day, Ernestine Anderson, and Chris Connor became Lisa’s first vocal coach, mentor and accompanist enabling her to build a solid repertoire while instilling the essential qualities that makes a great performer.

Developing strong roots in straight-ahead jazz, Lisa later continued working with Merrill, appearing at many venues around the Bay Area, with trios that included such heavyweight’s such as Harold Jones drummer for Sarah Vaughn, Donald Bailey, saxophonist Benny Miller, and bassist Jeff Chambers.

Years later she broadened her learning and experience by including a variety of lyrical music from Brazil. She attributes a natural style and tasteful repertoire in Bossa Nova by working with legendary Brazilian pianist Marcos Silva whose many recordings and concerts with icons Flora Purim and Aierto Moreira are well-known among mainstream and Brazilian jazz fans.

Recording and performing live with world-class drummer Celso Alberti, bassist Gary Brown, and guitarist Ricardo Peixoto helped strengthen her fundamental Brazilian “swing” before moving to Brazil to study, perform, and explore its many diverse musical rhythms and styles.

Radio and Television
Lisa has been featured on radio and television commercials as lead and background vocalist in Brazil and recorded extensively in the US as a voice-over talent for radio commercials and for overdubbing of Spanish tele-novelas.

International Performances
Thailand
Dusit Thani, Bangkok: May – August 2007
Shangri-La, Bangkok: February – June 2008

Japan
Grand Hyatt Hotel, Tokyo: January – April 2006
Saci Perere, Tokyo: September – November 1995
Hotel Yokohama, Yokohama: March – May 1992
Shanghai Jazz & Supper Club, Nagoya: October – December 1990
TV Nagoya’s “Good Morning Show”: October 1990

Korea
Park Hyatt Hotel, Seoul: June – September 2006

Brazil
’96-’00 Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo, BRAZIL
Rio Othon Palace, Rio de Janeiro: 4 weeks 1997
Clubela Folie, apresenta: “Aldeia Global”, Rio de Janeiro: April 1997
Maaksoud Plazza, Sao Paulo: 3 months 1998
Renaissance Hotel, Sao Paulo: Special Events 1998
Ton Ton Jazz Supper Club, Sao Paulo: 8 weeks 1999
Centro Cultural “Alquimia da Melodia”, Sao Paulo: December 1999
S.E.S.C. Itaquera, Sao Paulo: 19 December 1999
TV GLOBO “Boa Vida” interview, Sao Paulo: 2002
Sheraton Hotel New Year’s Eve ‘Reveillon’, Sao Paulo: 2000

Mexico
Copenhagen Jazz Club, Guadalajara: March 1993

Philippines
Shangri-La Hotel, Metro-Manila: June – August 1995