Jade Esteban Estrada

Infobox musical artist |
Name = Jade Esteban Estrada


Img_capt =
Img_size = 135
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Jade Esteban Estrada
Born = Birth date and age|1975|9|17|mf=y
Origin = San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Instrument = Vocals
Genre = Latin Pop
Occupation = Singer, songwriter, producer, comedian, actor
Years_active = 2000 - present
Label = Vicarious Records
URL = http://www.getjaded.com

Jade Esteban Estrada (born September 17, 1975 at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas) is a successful Latin pop singer, comedian, choreographer, actor and human rights activist. Out Magazine called him "the first gay Latin star"."

Biography

Born to now-divorced parents David Gonzales Estrada and Aurora Sanchez Estrada, Jade Esteban Estrada has four siblings: Celeste, David, Olga and Sara. As a young boy, he participated in extra-curricular school activities and sang in the school choir, where he first noticed that his talent captivated audiences. Through the encouragement of his choir instructor he began to take voice lessons and eventually traveled to New York where he worked as an assistant to Tony award-winning actress Zoe Caldwell.

Estrada appeared in the German production of Starlight Express and also worked as a dancer for Seventeen Magazine. Later, he became choreographer for Latin TV personality Charo. He gained international recognition in 1998 when he released his first Latin pop single, "Reggae Twist" on the Brooklyn-based Total Envision Records label. He later turned his attention to solo theatre and comedy.

In 2008, he hosted the 19th Annual South Florida GLAAD Media Awards on Bravo.

Discography

• Fabulous Gay Tunes, Vol. 2 (2003)

• Being Out Rocks (2002)

• Angel (2001)

• Reggae Twist (2003)

One-Person Shows

• "Chek it, Baby: A Fabulous Explanation of Anton Chekhov's Fiercest Plays" (2008)

• "A Lullaby for Ryan: The History of HIV/AIDS in America" (2007)

• "Gay Christian, Gay Muslim, Gay Jew" (2007)

• "Pico de Gallo" (2006)

• "ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 3" (2006)

• "TransWorld! The Transgender History of the World" (2005)

• "ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 2" (2004)

• "ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 1" (2002)

• "Tortilla Heaven" (2002)

• "It's Too Late...It's Already in Me" (1997)

Awards

• In October 2006, Kentucky governor Ernie Fletcher paid tribute to Estrada by commissioning him the title of Kentucky Colonel, the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which acknowledges outstanding ambassadors of goodwill and fellowship around the world. Estrada joined other honorary colonels such as Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope, Joan Crawford, Mae West, Johnny Depp, Muhammad Ali, and Pope John Paul II.

• In October 2006, Estrada received the award for "Entertainer of the Year" at the Family Tree Rainbow Awards in Tallahassee, Florida.

• In September 2006, Estrada received the awards for "Best Solo Performance" and "Best Original Music" at the Columbus National Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival for his solo musical comedy "ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 3".

• In September 2005, Estrada received the awards for "Performance Artist of the Year" and "Best Performance of the Year" (for the solo show "ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 2") at the Pride in Arts Awards.

• In September 2004, Estrada received the award for "Audience Favorite in Solo Performance" at the Columbus National Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival for his solo musical comedy "ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 2".

• Estrada received the "Spirit Award" for outstanding entertainment and worldwide visibility in the LGBT community at the Spotlight Awards in Providence, Rhode Island in September 2003.

• In October 2002, Estrada received the "Premio Estrella" at the 9th Annual Encuentro Awards in Miami, Florida for outstanding achievement and recognition in the entertainment industry as an openly gay Latino.

• In October 2001, Estrada received the "Man of Distinction Award" from the Miss Black World Organization.

• In May 2000, Estrada received the "Spirit Award" from Pageantry Magazine.

• In 1995, Estrada received the award for "Funniest Amateur Comic in New York".

External links

* [http://www.getjaded.com Official Jade Esteban Estrada Website]
* [http://www.iconsofhistory.com ICONS]
* [http://www.myspace.com/jadeinamerica Jade Esteban Estrada on MySpace]
* [http://search.riverfronttimes.com/Issues/2003-11-12/calendar/nd3.html "What a Difference a Gay Makes" by Rose Martelli]
* [http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid38567.asp "First gay Latin star honored in Kentucky" The Advocate]