Enferno

DJ Enferno has come a long way from his early days of making mixtapes and slinging vinyl crates. Enferno (known then as Eric Jao) began manipulating music at age 14, splicing and rearranging his favorite 12” records using a boombox and cassette tapes. He began his DJ career playing mobile gigs while attending #1 ranked Thomas Jefferson HS in Alexandria, VA, thereafter earning his stripes (and business degree) while attending the University of Virginia. Post college, as an IT professional by day, Enferno spent his nights DJ’ing in Washington DC’s legendary nightclubs including Zei Club, the Bank, and 1223.

Since then, Enferno has said goodbye to his day job, won a few DJ battles (including the 2003 DMC USA Championship), and performed for over 3 million people in 35 countries, including a 2-year run as Madonna’s tour DJ. His current gig schedule balances his hometown DC club and private event performances with regular trips to venues across America, including his residency at Tao Nightclub in Las Vegas.
As a performer, Enferno is part DJ, part musician. Armed with an encyclopedia-like mental music catalogue, DJ Enferno cooks up your favorite booty-shaking hip-hop, fist-pumping EDM, and guiltiest-pleasure throwback jams like a master chef. All genres, decades, and BPMs are fair game. Also a classically trained musician, Enferno uses his piano and percussion skills to create and perform music on-the-spot with his signature #LiveRemix shows, successfully combining the versatility of a DJ set with the performance value of a live band.

As a producer, Enferno’s range is just as broad. He’s made music for Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet" tour, Michael Jackson’s posthumous Cirque Du Soleil shows, Rihanna's "Loud" tour, and 20th Century FOX’s 2015 “Peanuts Movie”. He's released bass-driven music on Steve Aoki's Dim Mak label, as well as mainstream tracks like his chart-topping "Party Rock Anthem" remix on Interscope Records. His E.A.S.Y. (i.e. Enferno And Shiftee, Yo) collaboration has produced both remixes and original tracks, combining hip-hop and bass music with pop and soul. Enferno is currently working on music production for Shakira's upcoming 2017-2018 El Dorado World Tour.

Mix Major - Music Production Classes for Kids
Beyond the stage and studio, Enferno is a trendsetter in music education. Himself a father of two children, Enferno founded Mix Major to teach kids grades K-12 how to create their own music, regardless of their musical training or ability to play an instrument. With Mix Major, Enferno is modernizing music education while positively affecting the trajectory of kids’ lives.

From mixtapes, to Madonna, to making a difference, DJ Enferno continues to turn passion into positive. “I make a living playing music, making music, teaching music, and making people happy,” says Enferno. “I’m truly blessed to be able to do what I love.”