AJ Castillo

AJ Castillo
Background information
Birth name Arturo Castillo, Jr.
Also known as AJ Castillo
Born (1986-10-16) October 16, 1986
Austin, Texas, United States
Genres Tejano, cumbia
Occupation(s) Musician, Singer, Producer
Instruments Accordion, Vocals
Labels Yungstar Records (independent)
Website www.ajcastillo.com

Arturo Castillo, Jr. (born October 16, 1986, in Austin, Texas), better known as AJ Castillo, is an American singer of Mexican descent. He is a Tejano music, cumbia, and bachata recording artist, accordionist, singer, performer, and producer. His debut album, "Who I Am", was released in 2009, and his second album, "On My Way", was released in 2010.

Life and career

Having spent several years as a studio musician and having recorded and performed with many of the Top Tejano artists in the industry, Castillo is known for his accordion sound and style, and his visually customized accordions.Photo [1] Photo [2] In late 2008, he felt it was time to step to the front of the stage. He entered the Tejano scene as a solo artist in 2009 and has brought a "fresh new attitude to Tejano Music".[3] With the release of his debut CD Who I Am and his 2nd and newest CD On My Way, he has introduced a fresh new urban/fusion sound (combining influences from Tejano, Cumbias, Jazz, Cajun, and R&B) that expands the boundaries of accordion music and has helped energize the Tejano scene.[4][5][6][7][8]

History / accomplishments

AJ Castillo is a native of Austin, Texas, and is a recent graduate of The University of Texas at San Antonio as a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He joined great and influential members like Jerry Jones, Jimmy Buffett, C.J. Roy and Ian Mitchell. He was introduced to the accordion by his grandfather and started playing at around the age of 10 and began his professional music career at 13 with his family band. Today at the age of 29 and at the beginning of his solo career, the Tejano industry is recognizing the buzz surrounding this young musician. A "rising star" in the Tejano industry,[4][6] he has accomplished many things in a short period of time. He has released two CDs "Who I Am" & "On My Way" and has won over many Tejano music fans [7] Photo;[9] within the first seven months of his solo career he was asked to perform at the 2009 Tejano Music Awards and in 2010 accepted his first Tejano Music Award; he is receiving airplay on Tejano stations across the nation (traditional and internet stations); he released an official video for his single "Todo Me Gusta De Ti";[10] he kicked off the 2009 Tejano Music National Convention in Dallas, Texas; in 2010 he became a three time award winner being named the Tejano Music Awards Best New Male Artist and the Tejano Academy's Best Accordion Player and Best Emerging Artist at the July 11, 2010, awards show in San Antonio, Texas, Photo [5][6][11][12][13] in 2016 the City of Austin proclaimed September 1, 2016, as AJ Castillo Day,[14][15] and most recently AJ Castillo collaborated on the 2017 Latin Grammy Award winning Best Regional Song “Siempre Es Así”.[16][17]

Discography/Videography

  • Who I Am (2009)
Features a special guest appearance by Tejano artist Ram Herrera.
  • On My Way (2010)
Introduces Castillo's younger brother Sergio Castillo and features special guest appearances by Tejano artists David Lee Garza and Mark Ledesma.
  • The MixTape (2011)
  • Up Close and Personal DVD (2012)
  • The New Movement (2012)
  • Sin Límites (2014)
  • AJ Castillo LIVE from Tucson, AZ DVD/Blu-Ray (2016)

[18]

Music videos

Awards and recognition

  • 2010 Tejano Music Awards Best New Male Artist [12][13] Photo [11]
  • 2010 Tejano Academy's Best Overall Accordion Player [13]
  • 2010 Tejano Academy's Best Emerging Artist/Group [13]
  • 2016 City of Austin proclaims September 1, 2016, as AJ Castillo Day
  • 2017 Collaboration on 2017 Latin Grammy Award winning Best Regional Song “Siempre Es Así”

Philanthropic events

1st Annual AJ Castillo for Kids – September 16, 2010 [19]
Event held to raise schools supplies for kids who live in the more underprivileged areas in Austin, Texas.

Band Members

AJ Castillo - Accordion & Lead Vocals

Sergio Castillo - Lead Vocals

Leroy Esparza - Guitar & Bajo Sexto

Josh Woods - Bass

Anthony De La Garza - Drums & Percussion

Arturo Castillo - Alto Sax

Alex Pulido - Trumpet & Keyboards

References

  1. ↑ Robinson, Julia (2010-08-04). "Accordion player AJ Castillo". Austin360.com. Austin American-Statesman/Cox Enterprises. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
  2. ↑ Robinson, Julia (2010-08-04). "Accordion player AJ Castillo". Austin360.com. Austin American-Statesman/Cox Enterprises. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
  3. ↑ "Tejano Music Awards in S.A." WOAI.com. Newport Television LLC. 2009-07-16. Archived from the original on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
  4. 1 2 Gettleman, Parry (2010-08-04). "AJ Castillo crafts a new 'Austin sound'". Austin360.com. Austin American-Statesman/Cox Enterprises. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
  5. 1 2 Saldaña, Hector (2009-07-16). "Castillo creates a more urban version of Tejano". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
  6. 1 2 3 Saldaña, Hector (2009-07-16). "Latin Notes: Youth joining old faves at Tejano Awards". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
  7. 1 2 Beal Jr., Jim (2010-05-13). "Accordionist delivers lively kickoff to Tejano Conjunto Festival". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
  8. ↑ Patoski, Joe Nick. "The Accordions of Texas", No Depression #77: Surveying the Past, Present, and future of American Music, March 2009, P. 34
  9. ↑ Whitney, Jennifer (2010-05-13). "29th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio (AJ Castillo Austin performs)". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
  10. 1 2 "Todo Me Gusta De Ti" Directed by: Jorge Flores (Graphic Studio Music, Inc.)
  11. 1 2 Davenport, John (2010-07-11). "Tejano Music Awards (AJ Castillo wins)". Austin360.com. Austin American-Statesman/Cox Enterprises. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
  12. 1 2 "Tejano Music Award Past Award Winners". Retrieved 2010-11-20.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "30th Annual Tejano Music Awards Winners". KKPS Que Pasa 99.5 FM. Entravision Communications. 2010-07-12. Archived from the original on 28 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
  14. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/events/524865694376030/
  15. ↑ https://tejanonation.net/2016/09/02/aj-castillo-honored-by-live-music-capital-with-aj-castillo-day/
  16. ↑ https://www.latingrammy.com/en/nominees?genre=39
  17. ↑ https://www.latingrammy.com/en/nominees/search?artist=aj+castillo&field_nominee_work_value=&year=All&genre=All
  18. ↑ http://ajcastillo.com/music/
  19. ↑ Music Source (2010-09-14). "AJ Castillo leads fund-raiser for schools". Austin360.com. Austin American-Statesman/Cox Enterprises. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
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