Judy Torres

The Queen of Freestyle: Judy Torres

Who is Judy Torres?
She is a Freestyle and Dance-Pop singer, called by many the Queen of Freestyle.

What makes her the reigning Queen of Freestyle?
Probably the fact that she is still recording and performing new music.

What was her early life like?
She was raised in a single parent family in the Bronx, New York, but is of Puerto Rican descent. She went to Catholic school and is the oldest of 5 siblings.

How did her music career begin?
At 17, she entered a gong show in a Bronx nightclub, Sidestreet. One of the judges was George Vascones, who almost gonged her for being funny, approached her and offered to be her first manager. To get original material for Judy, he introduced her to producer and friend, Mickey Garcia.

Then what happened?
Vascones and Garcia released “No Reason to Cry” and promoted her for a year, convincing Profile Records to sign her and release “Come Into My Arms”. Both songs got heavy airplay on radio stations throughout the country and their success gave her the opportunity to record her first album, Love Story, for which she hit the Billboard Dance charts and received wonderful reviews.

What songs were on that record?
Well, “Love Story,” of course, but also “I Love You, Will You Love Me”, “Please Stay Tonight” and “Missing Part”. Many fans argue that album as the one of her record collectors should own.

What happened to her career?
To tour for her album, her college plans were put on hold. Judy toured all over the United States, as an opening act for Gladys Knight, Tito Puente, Menudo, Celia Cruz, La India and Lisa-Lisa. After she brough Geraldo Rivera to dance with her at Nassau Coliseum, she received network coverage.

Was Love Story her only album?
Nope! My Soul was her second album, released in 1992, and was well-received by critics and fans. With such hits as “Every Little Lie” and “I Love You For All Seasons,” critics compared her to Whitney Houston.

What is she doing today?
She has hosted a high-rated and well respected Sunday-night Freestyle show on New York’s popular radio station, 103.5 WKTU. 103.5. Her music still plays in clubs countrywide,where she still performs frequently, She enjoys entertaining, connecting sincerely with the audience and singing with them, for them, but not at them. She also tries to stay down to earth to keep this connection. She has also performed Off-Broadway and in one woman cabaret shows, worked as a plus size model for Ashley Stewart, published her story, “Chocolate for a Woman’s Dreams.”

Wow, that’s a lot of activity!
She also shares her spare time to Aquinas High School as a volunteer assistant director and choreographer, and works with Boys and Girls Club, Covenant House, and Promesa. She often speaks at local schools about the importance of self-esteem and having a mission in life.

My cousin told me that Judy Torres is related to Timmy T. Is that true?
No, she is not related to the fellow Freestyle performer.

What are her singles?

“No Reason To Cry” – a dance song with a heart
“Come Into My Arms”
“Love Story” -
“I Love You, Will You Love Me”
“Please Stay Tonight”
“I Love You For All Seasons” – Judy’s first video.
“Every Little Lie” – tells a story of an unfaithful man who, instead of ending the relationship amicably, decides to lead her on. Then she confronts him about it.
“Back In Your Arms Again” – a 2001 sentimental love song and major club hit that was her highest charting single yet. A remixed version was on the popular compilation series, White Party.
“The Air I Breathe” – Her 2004 debut single on Robbins Entertainment. It featured Freestyle artist Collage and was produced by Tony Moran.
“Faithfully” – 2005 cover of a 1983 Journey song that caught on quickly at at dance stations throughout the nation.
“I Don’t” – a 2007 cover of Danielle Peck’s country hit and a return to Judy Torres’ Freestyle roots.
“Hell No” – An anthem for abused women, released in In November 2008.