PHOTOGRAPHER - FRANK "THE HAT" TORRES
Being a woman who appreciated fine art, my mother always mentioned that a picture paints a thousand words and that an artist that captured a moment also captured history. I see what she meant as I today appreciate fine art and captured moments. I have a diminished memory of many past moments but when I look at pictures of my youth and movie posters, as well as album covers (from old vinyl records of the past), I can recall time and place, what I was doing, who I dated, what club or house party, vacation spot, age, sorrow, pain, happiness * etc..... . There we all live eternally and when I met Photographer Frank Torres, I was in for that moment in time. A man who's humbled and amazing photos would have never been if it wasn't for the many speed bumps that come from a period of time like the 70's and 80's in the mecca metropolis ------------ New York.
I sat down with Frank as he took me for an amazing ride down memory lane and what started out as a hobby, became a soul searching love for his craft today. The many artists, actors, performers, and friends that he has captured in time forever. This is my exclusive One On One with the Latino photographer known as Frank "The Hat" Torres.
As the night winter air blew through and I could tell everyone was looking for shelter. I could recall the decades past that were just like this but we pushed through just to dance the night away in the city that never sleeps. I grabbed my coffee and sat back, knowing that like a time traveling fool the seen would be perfect to go back to the nights of care free and excess.............the 70's and 80's. Polyester suits and disco balls to Fania record label and the Freestyle explosion. Frank was the key and I was going to turn and walk through that door
Q- Frank*take us back to your origin....What was your childhood like?
I'A- Well I don't want to go too far back as my childhood was as culturally traditional as any latino family in Brooklyn, so I'll start in high school. I went to Eastern District H.S. (Williamsburg, Brooklyn) and was honored to know that I was attending a high school that had a very famous list of Alumni that included Barbara Streisand, Mel Brooks, Barry Manilow, Red Aurabach(Boston Celtics) etc......, My father was in a band and sang as well as played the maracas. My mother who was the traditional hispanic homemaker, the holidays were awesome as there was always something to do. I have two sisters(57 & 44yrs old) and a older brother (56yrs old), and when we celebrated the holidays it brought out the music in us. In the 70's my interest came with my dad introducing me to the legends as he would put it and we listened to some heavy hitters let me tell you. Los Trio Pancho, Daniel Santos, Felipe Rodriguez, Machito, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente and his great latin jazz. I guess that's why later I became so attracted to the club scene like the Copa, Red Parrot, Roseland etc..... . It would later take me straight through into the 80's and have me become a part of that Salsa and Freestyle Explosion as I would meet Rey De La Paz, Ray Baretto, Johnny Pacheco, Tony Vega, Tito Nieves, Frankie Ruiz, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Jose Alberto "El Canario" etc..., Eddie Rivera at 1018 night club and would be introduced to Lisa Lisa, TKA, Cover Girls, Noel etc..... and even back then I would have never thought that it would come full circle as I studied photography and did it as a hobby (really enjoyed it) back then and just fell in love with capturing "mi gente" as they say in there element of enjoyment that be sitting back with there feet up or up on the grandest of stages performing. Fast forward to present, I now travel and go to as many events and shows as possible and do my thing. I also design photographs and cover photo shoots as well. I today can be hired to do just about anything from weddings to birthday parties.
Q- What do you enjoy the most?
A- My brother, I do have to say music and happiness. Music is my life and I love to surround myself around entertainers. I have always appreciated the hard work and dedication that a performer has to endure, day in and day out....... it's a God given gift.
Q-Your connection to music, particularly Freestyle is evident - How and why?
A-When I met Eddie Rivera, I was into salsa and merengue clubs but slowly as I started visiting more freestyle clubs and meeting the artists and the behind the scenes people. It just drew me closer to freestyle over time. The artist became friends and it all worked out well as I went from fan to "Frank come join us".
Q-You are today best known for the great stills and fantastic photos you take, how did that come about?
A-I originally started in high school as I took up photography as an interest and when my friends didn't believe who I hung out with or who I met over the weekend, I started to take photos of me with the performer or actor whoever it was that night to prove to them that what I was saying was true. It was a great hobby and I really enjoyed capturing the club scene in the unbelievable 80's. I started photographing live shows and with many radio stations promoting these shows, I met Al Bandero (92 ktu)/Poco & Rosco and later Vito Bruno (promoter) and Mickey Garcia (MicMac) Records who today reach out to me as well as Sal Abbatiello (promoter/Fever Records)
Q-I know that many Unidos readers would like to know why "The Hat"?
A-Well going back to my childhood, there were several Franks out there and you know back in the day they would give you a nickname or a descriptive name to know who they were talking about, mine became "The Hat" cause I wore all types of hats.
Q-Who are you close to in the industry?
A-Lisa Velez(Lisa Lisa) & Tony (TKA)
Q-Where is, in your opinion the photography industry today?
A-There is only a hand full of freelance photographers that take there work serious enough to have any longevity in entertainment, and the economy doesn't help as many want too much for nothing. I believe that you have to pay your dues as I have to sustain respect and make a living at it. I have been doing this for quite sometime and I am now working on my own photography studio. There are different levels of photographers and many limit themselves. I travel and sacrifice time to capture some of my greatest work. I consider myself a pioneer of photography, although I had taken a layoff for awhile and came back several years ago as I was asked to during a conversation while Delicious(radio personality of Legends Of Freestyle) and a promotion team wanted me to join them and get back into the limelight. I started taking my camera with me and met my old friends and performers alike. I also met Fascination, Marla G., Coro, etc.... and it brought me back wanting to passionately re-write my history as far as photography. The business as far as technology has a great advantage today with the advanced equipment and easy to print, add and take away flaws. I really believe that the photography industry has come a long way. Like comparing the the old Bell rotary phones to the Itouch, photography is in a great place today
This is our speed round, as we will ask you a series of quick questions and you tell us what comes to mind ok.................................
Q-Favorite color? A-black
Q-Favorite movie? A-The Godfather/A Few Good Men
Q-Favorite food or dish? A-Chicken Cutlet Parmesan
Q-Favorite T.V. program? growing up/ A-SNL, I Dream Of Jeanie
& Welcome Back Kotter
today/ A-King Of Queens
Q-Favorite actor? A-Al Pacino
Q-Favorite actress? A- Merryl Streep
Q-Favorite recording artist Freestyle/Dance male A-Noel / female A-Lisa Lisa / group A-TKA
Q-Favorite recording artist Salsa? male A-Hector Lavoe female A-Celia Cruz
Q-Favorite recording group? in general A-The Beatles, The Stylistics & The Platters
Q-Favorite book? A-The Secret
Q-If you were in a foxhole (at war), who would you want by your side / watching your back? A-I would have to say Elsie Ramos (the love of my life).
Q- In your words * why do you think freestyle has it's problems and cannot get airplay as it once owned the airwaves?
A-Listen, we all know how the game was played......especially with them me-me promoters,producers,and labels(freestyle) back then. That many of them one time young kids got taken advantage of and even made them as competitive as them losing unity and control of what could have been a beautiful thing?...yes of course. Many corporate heads saw this coming and the radio stations and deejays followed. They made it fall like the Roman Empire brother and cashed in without looking back. The thing about Empires is that they do strike back and with the help of the force, will be with the new resurgence of dance music and it's artists. Hopefully the legends of that historical time that are old enough and understand the industry will help guide and mold the many new artists that are hungry to take over and make it happen.
Q-What's in the future cards for you hermano (brother) and is there any current projects?
A-I have just been informed that my pics and work will be displayed here on Unidos Magazine as I will be joining your team as an on the scene photo journalist as well as Elsie Ramos as a live on the scene corespondent. I know I'm joining a good professional team and working with you & Rio will be an incredible ride. Bringing my photography to the next level with my up and coming studio and finally reaching for that big break. Looking forward to doing alot more in the art of acting, I have done two cameos on two independent films......one with latino director Henry Roa which is still in production called "The Hardest Love" and recently in an independent series called "Father Holliday". In conclusion, I have to say that I have come full circle in my life as today I deal with my photography as a trust in. See my friendships are dear to me and my reputation dictates who I am. I have mutual respect and have built a bond with many artists not just in music of all genres but in the arts all the way round. God has blessed me and I believe that I have and continue to bless others
Q- You have taken your artistic craft to another level as I heard you are acting now,
tell us about that?
A-"I'm a thespian"(he laughs) I always wanted to be an actor and it has now become a reality. It has really been an amazing experience. I enjoy comedy and love music but acting has been a passion right next to photography.
HISTORIC PHOTOS & STILLS OF
FRANK "THE HAT" TORRES
A SIDEKICK PRIEST IN "FATHER HOLLIDAY"
UNIDOS MAGAZINE
