AJ Ventura

A.J. Ventura is a Singer/Songwriter/Producer, born on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, December 6th, 1987. The son of two hard working native Virgin Islanders. His mother, Maureen, taught him that persistence and preparation goes a long way. His father, Angel, taught him respect and self worth, will take him far in life. Along with those teachings, came his hereditary skilled musical abilities, which his dad possessed.

His passion and love for music came at the early age of four (4), when he started playing the drums. Being from the Virgin Islands, he was first exposed to Soca, Reggae, and Calypso music. He then took on the task of becoming the youngest Drummer of his elementary school’s Steel band program-the Ricardo Richards Pan Connection Youth Steel Orchestra, at the age of seven(7), and his abilities began to blossom. A.J. also “found his voice” around this age, and began taking singing more seriously. His first stint at artistry would be that of serenading at various Beauty Pageants on St. Croix, and shortly after, he tackled the “Big Stage”.

In December of 1994, A.J. won the Crucian Christmas Festival Prince and Princess Pageant, along with Halima Roebuck, under the coaching and direction of the incomparable, Charlita Schuster. Next summer, A.J. attended the STARS Theater for the Arts Summer Camp, at Island Center, for three consecutive summers. He appeared in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Lion King with a lead role. This experience led him to become more enamored with all facets of show business. At the age of ten he had his professional debut performance, opening for The Marley Brothers. That experience solidified his love for the craft, both as an artist and musician.

During his Middle School years he came under the guidance of Mario Thomas. A.J. started gigging with Mr. Thomas and his Jazz combo. While attending the St. Croix Central High School, A.J. formed his own band, Xtaushun. A band that would change the sound of Virgin Islands music forever. He became Musical Director, Lead Keyboardist, Rhythm Programming, and Vocalist. The band won two back-to-back road march titles in 2003 and 2004 for St. Croix’s Crucian Christmas Festival. Xtaushun has opened for Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin and the Asylum Family, the Beach Boys, Nina Sky and others. Xtaushun has had a significant impact on the next wave of Virgin Islands Soca/Calypso artists.

A.J.explored other Genres such as RnB, Pop, Hip Hop and Electronic Music. A.J. has produced many artists in the Virgin Islands and abroad such as Patrice Roberts, Pressure Buss Pipe, Tian Winter, American Idol’s Deanna Brown, Kenya Eugene, working with popular Soca Artist, Skinny Fabulous. Skinny was featured on A.J.’s 2011 Carnival hit, “Spirit of Carnival”. The song was then used to promote the International Soca Monarch Awards, in Trinidad and Tobago. That was no small feat for a fairly unknown Soca artist, on the international level.

As A.J. moved to New York City, to further his career. and he got the opportunity to tour with Jamaican Platinum and Diamond selling artist, Shaggy.

In January of 2022, A.J. released his debut album, entitled Mosaic, which topped the iTunes Worldwide Chart, at number one. Mosaic was on the 2022 Grammy® ballot’s “nomination round. In 2025, A.J. became a Voting Member of the Recording Academy(Grammys®) and secured his first ever Grammy Nomination. He contributed vocally to Antonio Vergara’s album, “The Fury”.

Having a substantial amount of professional credits, A.J. feels the best is yet to come. The love he has for his home, along with the passion and dedication he has for his craft will only take him to the top and beyond. “Virgin Islands Culture is everything to me”, says A.J. “My family’s roots run deep! From Anna Heegaard, come right down! My Great-Great Grandfather, Samuel Utendahl, is a relative of Anna Heegaard’s mother, Susanna Utendahl. Virgin Islands culture made me who I am! Our music, our food, our swag...our good and bad. I am V.I. to the Bone and wouldn’t want it any other way!” He often says, “Music is the voice of life, and at some point in time we all resort back to music to heal us.” His motto is God first and everything else after, and through his music that message resounds!

Your host, Dion Parson, is an educator, composer, Grammy Award-winning performer, and bandleader. He currently resides on the island of St. Thomas and serves as the Chair of the Communication and Performing Arts Department at the University of the Virgin Islands. He is also the President of the United Jazz Foundation, which is a music education organization that mentors underprivileged kids to become musicians. His musical career has allowed him to tour internationally for over 30 years, and he has been recorded on over 110 recordings.

A.J. Ventura is a Singer/Songwriter/Producer, born on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, December 6th, 1987. The son of two hard working native Virgin Islanders. His mother, Maureen, taught him that persistence and preparation goes a long way. His father, Angel, taught him respect and self worth, will take him far in life. Along with those teachings, came his hereditary skilled musical abilities, which his dad possessed. His passion and love for music came at the early age of four (4), when he started playing the drums. Being from the Virgin Islands, he was first exposed to Soca, Reggae, and Calypso music. He then took on the task of becoming the youngest Drummer of his elementary school’s Steel band program-the Ricardo Richards Pan Connection Youth Steel Orchestra, at the age of seven(7), and his abilities began to blossom. A.J. also “found his voice” around this age, and began taking singing more seriously. His first stint at artistry would be that of serenading at various Beauty Pageants on St. Croix, and shortly after, he tackled the “Big Stage”. In December of 1994, A.J. won the Crucian Christmas Festival Prince and Princess Pageant, along with Halima Roebuck, under the coaching and direction of the incomparable, Charlita Schuster. Next summer, A.J. attended the STARS Theater for the Arts Summer Camp, at Island Center, for three consecutive summers. He appeared in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Lion King with a lead role. This experience led him to become more enamored with all facets of show business. At the age of ten he had his professional debut performance, opening for The Marley Brothers. That experience solidified his love for the craft, both as an artist and musician. During his Middle School years he came under the guidance of Mario Thomas. A.J. started gigging with Mr. Thomas and his Jazz combo. While attending the St. Croix Central High School, A.J. formed his own band, Xtaushun. A band that would change the sound of Virgin Islands music forever. He became Musical Director, Lead Keyboardist, Rhythm Programming, and Vocalist. The band won two back-to-back road march titles in 2003 and 2004 for St. Croix’s Crucian Christmas Festival. Xtaushun has opened for Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin and the Asylum Family, the Beach Boys, Nina Sky and others. Xtaushun has had a significant impact on the next wave of Virgin Islands Soca/Calypso artists. A.J.explored other Genres such as RnB, Pop, Hip Hop and Electronic Music. A.J. has produced many artists in the Virgin Islands and abroad such as Patrice Roberts, Pressure Buss Pipe, Tian Winter, American Idol’s Deanna Brown, Kenya Eugene, working with popular Soca Artist, Skinny Fabulous. Skinny was featured on A.J.’s 2011 Carnival hit, “Spirit of Carnival”. The song was then used to promote the International Soca Monarch Awards, in Trinidad and Tobago. That was no small feat for a fairly unknown Soca artist, on the international level. As A.J. moved to New York City, to further his career. and he got the opportunity to tour with Jamaican Platinum and Diamond selling artist, Shaggy. In January of 2022, A.J. released his debut album, entitled Mosaic, which topped the iTunes Worldwide Chart, at number one. Mosaic was on the 2022 Grammy® ballot’s “nomination round. In 2025, A.J. became a Voting Member of the Recording Academy(Grammys®) and secured his first ever Grammy Nomination. He contributed vocally to Antonio Vergara’s album, “The Fury”. Having a substantial amount of professional credits, A.J. feels the best is yet to come. The love he has for his home, along with the passion and dedication he has for his craft will only take him to the top and beyond. “Virgin Islands Culture is everything to me”, says A.J. “My family’s roots run deep! From Anna Heegaard, come right down! My Great-Great Grandfather, Samuel Utendahl, is a relative of Anna Heegaard’s mother, Susanna Utendahl. Virgin Islands culture made me who I am! Our music, our food, our swag...our good and bad. I am V.I. to the Bone and wouldn’t want it any other way!” He often says, “Music is the voice of life, and at some point in time we all resort back to music to heal us.” His motto is God first and everything else after, and through his music that message resounds! Your host, Dion Parson, is an educator, composer, Grammy Award-winning performer, and bandleader. He currently resides on the island of St. Thomas and serves as the Chair of the Communication and Performing Arts Department at the University of the Virgin Islands. He is also the President of the United Jazz Foundation, which is a music education organization that mentors underprivileged kids to become musicians. His musical career has allowed him to tour internationally for over 30 years, and he has been recorded on over 110 recordings.