Debi Nova

With dreams, one can create music that breaks barriers. This is the thought that crosses Debi Nova’s mind every time she sits down at the piano to write a song. An artist with extraordinary musical talent, an exquisite personality and a captivating smile, Nova soars with the music she creates.

Born in San José, Costa Rica, she first learned piano at the age of four and was fronting a locally popular band within a matter of several years. She’s been a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist since the age of 14, and was on the road to achieving her dreams by 17, when she signed her first record deal. Since then, she has been involved in 6 Grammy nominated projects, and a path in the music world that includes collaborations with artists like the Black Eyed Peas, Sean Paul, Mark Ronson, Boney James, Vybz Kartel and Ce'Cile.

While studying Ethnomusicology and Jazz at UCLA, Debi was invited by the legendary Brazilian artist Sergio Mendes to be the featured vocalist on his critically acclaimed album Timeless, and to accompany him on his tour through the U.S. and Japan. It wasn’t until the fall of 2004 that she released her first single, the vibrant “One Rhythm,” which was remixed by Ralphi Rosario and went to the top of the Billboard Dance Music/Club Play chart.

She then joined Ricky Martin on his 2004-2005 Life Tour in support of his album “Life” on which Debi was featured on 3 tracks; Drop It On Me (featuring Daddy Yankee as well), I Am and Qué Más Da. All this activity fostered her growth not only as a performer but as a songwriter comfortable writing in both Spanish and English (sometimes within the same song).

Nova released her first album, “Luna Nueva”, produced by Gustavo Santaolalla and Marius Devries, in 2010. The album showcases Debi's eclectic talents -she plays piano, guitar, and bass, among other instruments- and captures her authentic Latin roots. Through an electrifying combination of Latin beats with forceful pop rhythms, Debi's album speaks vibrantly of the universal language and power of Music. Her first single from “Luna Nueva”, “Drummer Boy”, reached #5 on the Billboard dance charts. That same year, she participated in two of the most watched TV shows in North America, “Dancing With The Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance”.

During 2011-2012, Debi was on tour in Latin America and the United States opening for the popular Mexican group Camila, and was invited by Venezuelan singer Franco De Vita to participate in the recording of the song “Si Quieres Decir Adiós”, which was included in Franco De Vita’s album “En Primera Fila”. She went on to accompany De Vita on his tour throughout Latin America, performing live over 60 times with the singer.

Also in 2011, MTV Latin America awarded her the prize MTV Chiuku: Agent of Change, for her work in the United Nations’ campaign “UNITE to end violence against women”, and in April 2012, she was named ambassador of YUNGA (Youth and United Nations Global Alliance).

Recently, Nova was the official voice of the Central American Olympics San José 2013, with the song “Arriba Arriba” and was also invited to participate in the conference TEDx Joven Pura Vida, sharing her story and her music to encourage young people to follow their dreams.

Debi Nova’s goal is to captivate the world with her new creations on and further consolidate herself as a Latin/crossover artist. Her second album, “SOY”, is entirely in Spanish and showcases 11 songs which demonstrate Nova’s growth as an artist, pianist, and composer. Songs which transmit warm, positive and contagious emotions, and unleash with great enthusiasm the singularity of a captivating spirit. The album was recorded in Mondomix Studios in Argentina, and produced by Cachorro López.