Jazz/Latin/R&B influence and inspiration: Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Jose Feliciano, Tito Puente, Stevie Wonder, Motown in the day, Chaka Khan, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Tower of Power; Bobby Caldwell, Robin McKelle, Tierney Sutton, Dianne Reeves, Carmen Lundy, many jazz instrumentalists, other great originals and musical interpreters. I honor the memory of my late father, Bill Castillo, Sr., who influenced me by playing piano and singing great jazz standards when I was a kid. My mother has a beautiful voice and used to sing around the house too. I'm inspired by the magic of Brazilian composers and by the poetry of great lyrics.
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"
You tell me! I've been told by members of the audience on various gigs that I sounded a bit like Sarah Vaughan or Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Patti Austin, Astrud Gilberto, Diana Krall, Eydie Gourmet, Natalie Cole, Karen Carpenter and even Jose Feliciano! LOL It's a culmination of influences that hopefully make me sound like me.
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http://www.debbieorta.com/news.html
Former backup singer for Jose Luis Rodriguez (El Puma) and Chayanne as well as other Latin recording artists, Debbie is now out front, performing with her own group at jazz concerts, art festivals, museums and parties. Born in New York to a jazz-loving family that later settled in Miami, Debbie sought a creative outlet while earning her degree in English and taking music courses at Miami Dade College and the University of Miami. Debbie also studied Psychology at Florida International University. A dedicated mom to her two children, Justin and Anjelica, she balances home life and the spotlight with a passion for performing great music. With the support of gifted musicians, Debbie is working on original music for her CD, and writing songs with husband, jazz bassist Nicky Orta, and friends.
Singing jazz has always been a thrill, through my many phases of music in English and Spanish; of songs and rhythms with tropical, funk, or blues flavors; ballads with complex melodies; the challenges, such as the intricacies of scatting, or singing in Portuguese; the syncopated rhythms. I'm fascinated with the musical mastery of my accompanists on stage, and the exciting ride I get to experience with them every time. I enjoy choosing songs I just love and having people come up and tell me thank you for doing that song they absolutely love that they haven't heard in a while (or ever).
Thanks coming over and visiting JAZZ BLUES FLORIDA! We need all the good friends we can find to support your good music! Be sure to come back again after we have a chance to tidy this place up a bit….Please stop by and check us out at www. JazzBluesFlorida. com and sign up for our weekly email! Our March edition will be posted later today. (And, Debbie, make sure we know about your gigs so we can get them posted!)
Debbie! How are you??? Tomorrow I'm going to be on Channel 41 (Americateve) a cuban channel, on a singing competition. The competition goes all the way through Friday but voting starts tomorrow!
Try to watch the show so you can see the number to vote! heheeh you can also vote from 7 to 8 on your computer on:
oh! are you serious??? that's awesome! did you see Oh holy night? or the other songs? i hope to see you soon! are you performing sometime soon? let me know! =)
oh you've been to it before??? that's awesome! this is the first time i will perform! i will be singing 3 songs... you have to come!! seriously! lol!! my mom says hi! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
debbie! how are you??? haven't talked to you in a long time! how's everything!!? i see that you are not performing December 6...!!! soooooooo you have to come to the Holiday Illuminations Show i'm going to be singing in the city of miramar!!! it's going to be awesome! like 5000 people! snow!! food! santa, singing! it's going to be a great show! you better come with your family!! let me know if you are coming!!! take care!!! hope you are doing great!
Debbie, Great performance last night at the Smith & Jones Bar & Grill ( Las Olas). It was a pleasure to meet you and the band was "Hot".... See you soon.... Ciao, James
Debbie, I am so sorry I missed your performance last Thursday at the Hard Rack.. I hope if went well....( I am sure it did ).... I'll hear you soon. My best as always.... James
Hey Debbie thanks a lot, how are you? Sorry I couldn't hang I had to run out of there for another gig. Great to hear from you and we will be in touch R
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