Bio/Info: Mario Torres Mario took guitar lessons from Texas blues legend Mance Lipscomb and traded guitar techniques with guitarist Eric Johnson. His guitar playing has graced top 10 hits on indie radio, and he has been described as one of Dallas, Texas best guitarist. He has done concert work with Phillips Craig and Dean, and several others Christian music artist including Dorothy Norwood, Cynthia Greene of the Brooklyn Tabernacle choir, and Mikaila. He/bands have been featured on MTV, Lighthouse 21, and the Daystar Television Network. Over the last ten years he has been involved with several ministries in the Dallas area, including The Christ Temple Praise band, A.C.T.S., Global Glory Ministries, 89.7 Power FM, Tom Dooley, and Behind the Wire prison ministry. Mario counts his God, family, friends, and fellow music artist as his greatest source of inspiration. He has come to the realization that music is a gift from above, an avenue to share life's' trials and losses, an avenue to share life's' joys and triumphs, but most importantly an avenue to share the love of God, Jesus Christ, with the world. Mario is currently hard at work recording a new Latin music project and is performing at select venues in the Dallas area. David Hernandez David Hernandez's playing style has been characterized as focused, versatile, driven and full of passion, which comes from his dedication to excellence and personal desire to connect with people through music and his drumming. Born in Dallas, Texas, David's love for music and drumming started at an early age. 'My father was a general contractor and would keep all sorts of paint cans, plastic containers, and card board boxes in the garage. I remember at an early age arranging these objects in different ways to make unique sounds and rhythms. I would use anything I could find to hold in my hands as drumsticks. My drumsticks back then were rulers, artist paint-brushes, screw-drivers, twigs, and paint sticks to name a few.' David began studying drums and percussion at age twelve. He began to expand his skills by participating in concert band, symphonic band, marching band, jazz band, jazz ensembles, and percussion ensembles in middle school through high school. He continued his education at the University of Texas in Arlington for a season, where he participated in different percussion ensembles, the drum line, and the performance indoor drum line. During his 18-year playing career, he has lived in Dallas, performing a variety of venues with different local artists playing a diverse repertoire of music, from jazz, pop, rock, Latin, funk, alternative, R&B, and gospel. He has consistently held a drumming spot in the church since the age of twelve. 'Contemporary worship services are different than what they used to be. There is a freedom in the music today that allows the drummer and other musicians to be creative and play many styles of music. I always get a kick out of "rocking" or "grunging" up a new song to play in a worship set. It brings out the stick twirling, high energy, showmanship drummer in me.' David is currently the drummer for Sojourn Church in Carrollton, TX. He has occasional gigs in the Dallas area with his current band, RIO. He has a selected list of drum students that he teaches and mentors. He often conducts workshops and master classes to train the next generation of drummers to sharpen their percussive abilities and learn to play in a contemporary worship setting. "I have come to realize that music and drumming is a gift from above. I am honored to be able to do something that I love and through my passion of drumming have an avenue to give back to the next generation of drummers." Jimm y Gutierrez Jimmy draws on his Afro-Caribbean heritage to add a different color and texture to the music. Originally a trombone player, he excelled on the Jazz Ensemble circuit as a student. This would prove to have many benefits in the future. After some time, he began a personalized study of Afro-Cuban percussion with an emphasis on folkloric and ceremonial drumming. Says Jimmy: "

Sojourn
Human Sacrifice
inneractive

The Mario Torres Band in concert! Artistic Blends Coffee Shop Saturday June 18th 8 PM-midnight 5928 Trail Lake Drive Fort Worth, TX 817-292-4744 http://www.artisti cblends.com/

Members:
Mario Torres (guitars/composer)
Jimmy Gutierrez (percussion)
David Hernandez (drums)

Albums:
Sojourn
"inneractive"
Human Sacrifice

Soy Libre
Living Water
Beauty for ashes



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