2008 Woodie Awards
Yolanda Ruiz strives forward as pop singer
Issue date: 5/3/07 Section: Features
(U-WIRE) SAN JOSE, Calif. - The music industry has never left an open door for dreamers, but that hasn't stopped former San Jose State University student Yolanda Ruiz from pushing her way through strife and hardship to become a pop singer.
"I only know to follow my passion," Ruiz said. "We only have one life."
After many years of vainly chasing a Latin pop-infused singing career in San Jose, Calif., Ruiz took off to Los Angeles in 2002 in pursuit of a dream that lived with her since she was performing in talent competitions as a child.
"My life in San Jose was stable but I had to let go of that," Ruiz said. "When you come to a big city it is a true test to see how bad you want something."
While in the Bay Area, Ruiz recorded a locally successful single at 17, "Together Forever," and began singing for larger crowds, but soon fell into a musical ditch.
"There are sacrifices and struggles," Ruiz said, "but if you keep doing it, it will work."
Since Ruiz's capricious move, from a stagnant music scene at home to the volatility of the music business in Los Angeles, she has collaborated with Emmy Award-winning producer Ron Cohen and Ozomatli vocalist Jabu.
Ruiz was drawn to the sound of the Ozomatli's music and knew she wanted to work with Jabu. Jabu joined Ruiz and threw down vocals for songs like "Loca," which has varied re-mixes expressing her love of all types of Latin music.
"I like to celebrate my Latin roots through emotion and passion," Ruiz said. Friend Claudia Corpus, and SJSU alumnus, said disappointments with former, unreliable producers and collaborators have led Ruiz to personally undertake all aspects of her career.
"She is doing it all and is dedicated," Corpus said. "It is very inspiring and admirable."
Currently working on an EP, she hopes to release sometime this year, has halted most of her live performances but will make an appearance on May 5 in Fresno, at the "Tu Musica Tu Ciudad" contest sponsored by Burger King.
"I only know to follow my passion," Ruiz said. "We only have one life."
After many years of vainly chasing a Latin pop-infused singing career in San Jose, Calif., Ruiz took off to Los Angeles in 2002 in pursuit of a dream that lived with her since she was performing in talent competitions as a child.
"My life in San Jose was stable but I had to let go of that," Ruiz said. "When you come to a big city it is a true test to see how bad you want something."
While in the Bay Area, Ruiz recorded a locally successful single at 17, "Together Forever," and began singing for larger crowds, but soon fell into a musical ditch.
"There are sacrifices and struggles," Ruiz said, "but if you keep doing it, it will work."
Since Ruiz's capricious move, from a stagnant music scene at home to the volatility of the music business in Los Angeles, she has collaborated with Emmy Award-winning producer Ron Cohen and Ozomatli vocalist Jabu.
Ruiz was drawn to the sound of the Ozomatli's music and knew she wanted to work with Jabu. Jabu joined Ruiz and threw down vocals for songs like "Loca," which has varied re-mixes expressing her love of all types of Latin music.
"I like to celebrate my Latin roots through emotion and passion," Ruiz said. Friend Claudia Corpus, and SJSU alumnus, said disappointments with former, unreliable producers and collaborators have led Ruiz to personally undertake all aspects of her career.
"She is doing it all and is dedicated," Corpus said. "It is very inspiring and admirable."
Currently working on an EP, she hopes to release sometime this year, has halted most of her live performances but will make an appearance on May 5 in Fresno, at the "Tu Musica Tu Ciudad" contest sponsored by Burger King.
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