AJ Castillo | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Arturo Castillo, Jr. |
Also known as | AJ Castillo |
Born |
Austin, Texas, United States |
October 16, 1986
Genres | Tejano, bachata, 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.
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 Photo 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". 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.
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 Buffet, 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, 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 Photo; 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"; he kicked-off the 2009 Tejano Music National Convention in Dallas, Texas; and most recently, 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 Most recently, the City of Austin proclaimed September 1, 2016, as AJ Castillo Day.