J.I. Starr

J.I.Starr “El Boricua de New York” is a Radio Air Personality, DJ, voice-over artist, master of ceremonies and entrepreneur. Born in the Bronx and raised in Manhattan to  Puerto Rican parents who hail from Mayaguez and Hormigueros, and loved Tito Rodriguez, Tito Puente, Ismael Rivera, Machito.

“I took drums, piano and chorus at the High School of Music and Art then left for traditional High School. Although mom is a classically trained pianist, I never grabbed that knowledge when it was at my fingertips, dumb move! I guess I am probably a frustrated musician”
The dream to broadcast on NYC radio airwaves was realized in 1979 as club and mixshow DJ Joey Irizarry on the original 92 KTU FM. It all started as an internship with the programming department and included recording reels for the daily “custom music mixes”.
I worked directly with the late radio legend Rosco Mercer, who was the true inspiration for pursuing a career in radio. His smooth delivery and charm was something I wanted to emulate, so I registered for announcer training, took some personal speech classes and one year later………

…..First stop WVIP radio, Mt. Kisco, New York. Full-time afternoon drive DJ on contemporary jazz station 1310 VIP as Joseph Starr and the swing shift DJ on sister station 106 VIP FM as J.I.Starr playing top 40…for a short while a part-time show on New Jersey’s WNJR followed spinning disco/dance classics with groundbreaking program director Carlos Dejesus.
I earned a living as a club DJ/MC and GM of the
infamous Foxes Dance Club, Jersey City, NJ. when disco classics ruled the programming. Armed with a love for this music, in 1986 I kicked off the Disco Classics Show on 91.5 FM, WNYE New York…the run lasted four years. In 1994 I started to record voice-overs that aired mostly on WSKQ then known as FM 98. The program director asked J.I. if he
was interested in doing his own show.

….. The Sound of New York was born on Mega 97.9FM. J.I.Starr producer and host programming Salsa, Merengue, Freestyle, Classics and Reggae. The show aired for 22 years! Broadcasting live from various clubs in New York and New Jersey that became legendary nights. Master of Ceremonies at Madison Square Garden on several occasions,
Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, Tribute to Tito Puente at Lincoln Center, Orchard Beach Latin concert series and South Street Seaport Latin music series to name a few.
 
Voice-overs are a passion for me, I love going on auditions and conveying the producers’ vision for Radio and TV commercials. In addition to voice-overs in English, I am Spanish-speaking and have carved a niche for myself over the years with bi-lingual spots
and narrations that are extremely satisfying to perform.
Decades of Dance NYC started steaming at the start of the 2020 Pandemic and is now
Broadcasting on NYC Rhythm Decades of Dance NYC is a living,
breathing show that can perform at your venue, in your city, as a guest spot or an all nighter.
J.I.Starr is an avid mountain biker and always looking for the right product to endorse that combine his two passions in life.
info@jistarr.com