Colombian percussionist and composer Samuel Torres, has been called “at once intelligent, sophisticated, and explosive” by JazzTimes. His album Forced Displacement, explores his country’s indigenous and Afro-Colombian musical roots and gives voice to the dynamic range of the conga drums supported by a Latin jazz ensemble. Through the rhythmic, melodic, coloristic and harmonic developments of traditional Colombian music, Forced Displacement also explores the different factors of human displacement due to the armed-conflict in Colombia.

Torres’ long-standing ensemble included drummer Obed Calvaire and Puerto Rican bassist Ricky Rodriguez, Venezuelan pianist Luis Perdomo and horn players Michael Rodriguez on trumpet and Yosvany Terry on saxophones. Members also included Marshall Gilkes on trombone and Jonathan Gomez on Afro-Colombian percussion.