Debbie Orta profile picture

Debbie Orta

Bloom where you're planted

About Me

A former backup singer for Jose Luis Rodriguez (El Puma) and Chayanne as well as other Latin recording artists, Debbie (formerly known as Debbie Castillo) is now out front, performing with her own trio or quartet at jazz concerts, art festivals, museums and private functions. Debbie studied flute at Miami Dade College and Music Theory and Theater at the University of Miami while pursuing her dream of singing. A dedicated mom, she took some time staying at home to raise her two children, Justin and Anjelica, doing occasional gigs with the Real Deal Band featuring Dana Paul in South Florida. Now that the kids are bigger, Debbie is back out in the spotlight with a renewed passion for performing great music with the support of gifted musicians. Debbie is writing songs with husband, jazz bassist Nicky Orta, and together they are working on the concept for her upcoming jazz CD.


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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 9/20/2007
Band Website: debbieorta.com
Band Members: Varies depending on the date. Musicians I've had the pleasure and honor of working with: Nicky Orta, Mike Orta, Pete Wallace, Silvano Monasterios, Mike Levine, Chris Cadenhead, Jim Gasior, Felix Gomez, Carlomagno Araya, Ramon Casales, Mike Harvey, Rodolfo Zuniga, Jeff Carswell, Greg Diaz, Carlos Averhoff and Ed Maina

Influences: Jazz/Latin/R&B have all influenced me, beginning with the jazz voice & piano of Bill Castillo, Sr. (my late father), and the fabulous voice of Angie Robles (my mom). Losing my father when I was 8 became, of course, the defining moment of my life and with everything I do in music and with my children I honor his memory. My style and approach are influenced by Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Jose Feliciano, Tito Puente, Stevie Wonder (world's greatest living songwriter; wait, let me add to that Burt Bacharach-how could I forget?), Motown in the day, Chaka Khan, also Tata Vega (have you heard her sing "I'll Blame it on the Sun"), Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan; I enjoy and admire Nnenna Freelon (started late & went to the top!), Bobby Caldwell, Robin McKelle, Tierney Sutton, Dianne Reeves, Carmen Lundy, many jazz instrumentalists and other great originals and musical interpreters for their music and immense talent as well as what I've read about their personalities.
Sounds Like: A classic chanteuse with an edge of today.
Record Label: Deberon Zolar Music
Type of Label: None