When and why did you start performing?
I started learning piano and singing at age 3, and then began guitar lessons at age 9. From around the time I was 4 years old, I started performing at the annual piano recital my piano teacher put on for her studio. Throughout my musical education, I continuously sought out performance opportunities at local music venues like the Sherman Theatre, restaurants and music festivals in my town. I began acting professionally at age 5 with Abrams Artists Agency out of NYC. I auditioned almost every week, several times a week for months on end for a wide range of projects from print, to TV, to movies. I began my own rock band in high school, booking us myself for gigs and writing our original music. Ever since the first moment I got up on stage at 2 years old to play a piano at a restaurant in Atlantic city, I knew that music would be in my future.
Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?
I greatly admire Carlos Santana, Selena Quintanilla, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Rihanna.
I admire Santana as a fellow hispanic guitarist that has broken global boundaries as a rock and latin fusion artist. Selena is a great inspiration for me because she broke into the global pop market as a bilingual artist. Beyonce has been a resilient multifaceted artist for her whole career, something that I aspire to replicate. She is a super talented dancer, singer, and performer that has evolved throughout her career. Lady Gaga inspires me because of how fearless she was in her musical and stylistic choices at the start of her career. She is also a really talented musician and vocalist. Kendrick, Drake and Rihanna continue to infuse hiphop, R&B and pop music in ways that have made their music relatable and innovative.
Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones?
I was influenced by many old jazz records like Kind of Blue by Miles Davis, and The Shape of Jazz to Come by Ornette Coleman. Artists like Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday have also inspired me as a vocalist.
Who are your favorite musicians? Groups? CD’s?
Some of my favorite artists are Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Amine, Drake, J. Cole, Migos, Rihanna and Lady Gaga.
Have you been in competitions? Fleadh’s? Any prizes?
I competed with my rock band in the 2015 Battle of the Bands in Easton, Pennsylvania.
Do you perform in public? Describe those occasions? Concerts, radio, TV
I perform very frequently in public, from open mic opportunities to local festivals. At first, I would seek out any and all gig opportunities on my own to be able to perform my original music, but as time went on I began getting approached by venue owners and festival promoters to come and perform on my own as well.
What makes this kind of music “good” to you?
This music is good to me, because it has a real message behind it. I like writing about personal experiences and situations that others can relate to. Whether that means the theme centering around relationships or life events – I always write from the heart.
Why did you choose to play this kind of music?
I began pursuing bilingual latin pop music in order to connect better to my cultural roots lyrically and stylistically.
Let’s Talk about your music and your current release… anything new in the works?
My musical tastes have evolved greatly over the course of the last four years. I started out being very involved in the rock scene, performing frequently with my band. Later on I developed my skills as a solo singer/songwriter, frequently writing pop music like my latest release, “Miles Away”. Currently, I am working on my latin pop project which I started recording during my three week long trip to Cali, Colombia in July 2018. We filmed a music video for one of my 5 new bilingual singles with even more to come in the near future.
How do you feel about the internet in the music business?
I feel that although the internet has drastically changed the music industry in the areas of record sales having gone down due to streaming, it has also allowed artists to become more innovative in self marketing through social media platforms. The current state of the music industry promotes an environment of originality that is necessary to succeed.
What are the plans for the future?
My plans for the future involve being a successful performing and recording artist that tours frequently to promote my music.
How has your music evolved since you first began playing music?
My music has evolved greatly from the classical and jazz repertoire that shaped me as a budding instrumentalist. I branched out into the genres of rock and hardcore music, later focusing on pop and then latin pop music.
Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
How I write music usually begins one of two ways, either I come up with a melody and lyrics in my head from scratch to then put my originalmusic to, or I listen to a track that I’m considering recording over, and then write my original lyrics to that.
Please follow her Artist page on FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/iamjasmineortiz/
On Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/iamjasmineortiz/
You can Stream her music at Spotify :
https://open.spotify.com/album/2ZqNEHbF9yPPOgGhIajrxB
M.T.V.rock 