Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Alvarado.
Jasmine, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley located in the city of Los Angeles California. I grew up mostly in the neighborhood of North Hollywood and as a toddler you could find me playing with my grandma’s pots and pans as drums in the backyard. Music has always been something very natural to me, it’s the most effortless part of my existence, truly a gift from God. Growing up I was always that one child amongst many adults, perks of that was the music taste everyone around me had. Every single person in my family influenced my music library. From Spanish boleros like Los Panchos my grandpa would enjoy on vinyl.
To my aunt Nena who loved her some Tina Marie, oldies and all that jazz. My uncle Manny had his fair share of karaoke sessions in shower jamming out to Elton John. My Mom enjoyed listening to The Smiths, Depeche Mode and Spanish classic rock. I picked up the guitar because of the influence of Elvis from my uncle Rami. Feels like yesterday seeing him style his pompadour while sounds of “Hound Dog” played in background. You could find me air guitar a stick for all I cared standing tall impersonating my best Presley voice “ladies and gentleman, thank you, thank you very much”. I’m no Andrés Segovia, but the guitar is a major tool within my creative writing process, it was most definitely an instrument I just always felt I understood naturally.
I was always involved in anything music, while growing up. In elementary was when I joined my first choir. My favorite memory was 5th grade I entered a lip-sync contest (I was obsessed with JLo) and let me tell you lil jazzy brought the house down. I remember practicing so hard to “love don’t cost a thing”, 10 years old and in my imagination, I was in full concert mode.
I grew up going to church with my grandma and within those four walls up until I was 18, I’d say I had my first audience. Around when I was in middle school, I finally got my first guitar, and started to write my own worship songs. I never realized how much I felt the need to write the songs I would play at church in both English and Spanish. Spanish is my first language and so translating came easy and I always wanted the church to be able to relate, whether you were the youth (who mainly spoke in English) or rest of the congregation of Spanish speakers.
When the decision of choosing a career came about in high school, I chose to become a chef and pursue culinary school. I did have a love and passion for food and all of what gastronomy had to offer. Only thing was now looking back I wasn’t in love with that career choice. I believe you should struggle for what you truly love, and I deep down always wanted to embark and pursue a singing career.
While pursuing cooking and working my way up in some of the finest kitchens in LA, I secretly tried out for The Voice two times. I never told anyone because I felt pressured to “make it”. Although the Voice wasn’t a success it also just wasn’t the path I was meant to take, being that I was told by producers I just “wasn’t the look”. So, I continued cooking for another year roughly and as I was almost about to become a Sous Chef. I couldn’t help remember always in back of my mind and imagination that it was never about me not singing well or not having what it took. It was simply a choice based off a TV show series producer who told me I sang beautifully, but just didn’t fit the role they were looking for. I sat at a crossroads at age of 23 years old whether to continue for all I had worked hard for to become a chef or take that leap of courage for what my soul had always craved to truly become.
No doubt it was secretly my purpose deep down inside I knew there was more for me I could become past the walls of my own fears. Fast forward 5 years later and looking back as I share this, I’m truly happy I chose to quit a career that would have been stable and great also but not my true calling. I just didn’t want to live with always feeling like what if? Plus, little jazzy deserves to make these dreams into a reality. Choosing to pursue my purpose as a singer/songwriter has humbled me and molded me into becoming and learning who my highest self is and what I came to be here in this thing called we call life.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
As a singer/songwriter, I always try to apply what the great Nina Simone has once stated. And that is that “an artist’s duty is to reflect the times in which we live in”. I believe that has continued to be shown through music today, from greats like some of my favorites, Kendrick Lamar to Solange and many more. I feel with the current times we are living, witnessing, some even surviving it’s igniting a change, and causing awareness. There’s a revolution coming I don’t know exactly when or how but it’s near and it’s coming. And I just want to be a part of it all by sharing my story through my own experiences or even sharing other’s stories. I aspire for the music I create to empower, help heal offer love, joy and unite. It’s simply a duty I feel that comes with the gift I’ve been given to simply reflect the times.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
Know that your vibe attracts your tribe. Know who you are, and own it. Don’t expect to create the best version of your craft with just anyone. Once you start to see it this way, you’ll start to find yourself with time align with the correct folks. Be patient and open minded to others, it’s all about the art and message at end of the day. Know your worth, trust your gut, even if your ridding solo the team will build eventually. Don’t be afraid to reach out to those you admire, if it’s meant to be for you to Collab with them, they’ll see your drive and talent. And in the end remember your doing this for you and only you, believe in you no matter what and rest will follow and unfold beautifully.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My music is available on all major music platforms: iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music etc.
Artist name: Jasmine Alvarado
Contact Info:
- Website: http://bit.ly/Ixchel888
- Email: jazz_est91@icloud.com
- Instagram: instagram/jsmnalvarado
- Other: http://bit.ly/ykhwdi-
Image Credit:
Stephanie Valencia
Anieva Photograhy
instagram/anieva.jpg.com
Mayra Vanessa Lopez
instagram/lumifluxphotography.com
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
