Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Rafi grew up in a musical and artistic environment. His father has been an announcer, actor, and producer for radio, TV, and playhouses in the island for more than 60 years. At a very early age, Rafi was surrounded by actors, announcers, musicians, and people related to the show business. He used to accompany his father to rehearsals and many different gigs in Radio and TV shows. Since then, he developed a different ear and taste for music and a different perspective towards the show business.
Rafi's father used to tell him; "you need to fine tune your soul". Following this philosophy,...Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Rafi grew up in a musical and artistic environment. His father has been an announcer, actor, and producer for radio, TV, and playhouses in the island for more than 60 years. At a very early age, Rafi was surrounded by actors, announcers, musicians, and people related to the show business. He used to accompany his father to rehearsals and many different gigs in Radio and TV shows. Since then, he developed a different ear and taste for music and a different perspective towards the show business.
Rafi's father used to tell him; "you need to fine tune your soul". Following this philosophy, he was exposed to Classical Music, Jazz, Latin Jazz, Salsa, and World Music. Even though he loves music and always dreamed to have his own radio show, Rafi completed a Bachelors and a Masters in Science in Electrical Engineering. He worked as an Electrical Engineer in different multi-national companies and while in Florida, he worked in NASA where he was assigned to the International Space Station Program. Moved by his passion for music, Rafi started his own musical business as a DJ, Promoter, and as a Producer. He managed the VIP Latin World Jazz Band in Orlando, promoted The Lake Saxophone Quartet, and supported the best conga player in the world and the godfather of his son, Mr. Giovanni Hidalgo.
Rafi worked as a DJ and as an announcer in many venues in the United States, Europe, and Puerto Rico, and he also worked in TV and radio stations. While in the US, he DJ at Club Melao (Florida), Underground Bluz (Florida), the Waterford Lakes Jazz Fest in Orlando, Club Conga in Fort Lauderdale, the Miami Salsa Congress, and at the First Puertorrican Carnival in Orlando with Andy Montañez, Roberto Roena, Tito Nieves, and the Puertorrican Power Orchestra. Also, he performed in Club Granada in Los Angeles, Club Barcelona in Hartford Connecticut, twice at the Dance New York Club in Broadway NYC, and at Club Amendment 21 in Huntsville Alabama. In Europe, Rafi was the main DJ at the Norwegian Salsa Congress, celebrated in Oslo in November 2005 and DJ at Club Henriksberg in Gothenburg Sweden in May 2014.
In Puerto Rico, Rafi was part of the Salsa Congress in 2007 and played in many venues and clubs around the island, including Roberto Roena’s birthday in Pier 17 in San Juan, and the Robo Salsero with Roberto Roena and Bobby Valentín in Mayaguez. He was the main DJ at the Sarabanda Club in Ponce and played in the main Salsa Clubs in the capital.
Rafi loves radio and he was invited several times to collaborate as a supporting DJ at WUCF (Orlando, Fl) in the Jazz Happy Hour, hosted by “Dr. K”. In Puerto Rico, he was the Engineering Manager for WIPM TV Channel 3 and WMEI TV Channel 60. Rafi also hosted “En Cualquier Clave” a Latin Jazz and Classic Salsa radio show in WPUC-FM in Ponce Puerto Rico, and in many occasions, co-hosted the radio show “Sábados de Bohemia” with his father, the veteran announcer, Rafi Torres Sr. This show still airs every Saturday evening.
The core of his music is Classic Salsa, Mambo, Cuban Music, and Latin Jazz. He also owns a great variety of Alternative Rock, New Age, American Retro (50’s to 90’s), World Music, Brazilian, Acoustic, Straight Ahead Jazz, and Classical music.
