Deep in the heart of the Annex building, the sounds of electronic dance music echo down the halls, and the pulse of electronic bass drums quakes the floor. Follow the music into the Pioneer Media Center, and find communication studies student, Joseph Torres, mixing it up with his DJ expertise.
As part of CSUEB’s University Hour this semester, Torres – who goes by the stage name “DJ Jojo Torres” – plays a wide variety of dance music live on stage, from deep house, to Latin, to hip hop. His gigs are also streamed on East Bay Live’s YouTube channel, offering a musical experience for students, both on and off campus.
Torres, a self-made DJ, found his love for deep house music 30 years ago.
“In 1995, I met a guy who worked at a radio station and he said, ‘Hey, do you want to go to the radio station,’ and I saw people DJing. I would return every week to see people create tunes, and my art expanded from there,” Torres said.
As Torres honed his craft, he soon realized that deep house music creates an inclusive space where everyone can vibe together.
“I found that deep house music is more than just beats and rhythm, but a community where people of any color, sexuality and background come together to enjoy the vibes of the music and create an accepting, energetic, and loving atmosphere,” he stated.
Torres especially enjoys deep house music, but finds inspiration in other genres as well.
“I also like soul, salsa, reggae and hip hop,” he noted, “But deep house is the reason why I became a DJ.”
Torres surrounds himself with other house music creators, experimenting with smooth transitions and energetic blends to elevate his work. He greatly enjoys performing for CSUEB students, hoping to spread love for live house music while bringing the campus community even closer.
“I want to expose people to different types of music,” Torres said, “This music is driven by one’s creativity, and I hope to expose people to house music, and experience the love and spirituality in this community. It’s really a culture!”
Torres performs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in Annex Room 1092 during Cal State East Bay’s U-Hour. His final shows of the Fall 2025 semester will take place Dec. 2 and 4.
For more information, check out the flyer below.
