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Trumpeter and Santana sideman Bill Ortiz is the "real deal", a musician and artist. Ortiz played songs off of his newly released first album “From Where I Stand” at Yoshi's in Oakland last night. During his 90-minute performance, Ortiz delivered a sound that was fresh, entertaining, and a true testament to his talent and experiences as musician.
As a jazz trumpeter Ortiz has managed to create songs that infuses urban jazz, R&B, neo-soul and some reggae. In addition to a creative sound, he has assembled some of the most talented musicians in the urban jazz arena especially his drummer who played an unbelievable solo during the show. At one point the band went into a jam session and it was amazing, classic and proof that this band was perfectly arranged and jelled. He also featured vocalist Ken Meyer and his wife, a music schoolteacher, who “played a mean guitar.” Industry critics have stated that “Contemporary jazz trumpet greats have a run for their money now that longtime Santana sideman Ortiz enters the urban jazz scene with this chillin’, artsy yet infectious, easy grooving debut” and they are correct. Producing an album is one element, but a delivering a performance is another.
Ortiz’s performance seized the nearly full Yoshi's jazz club, on a Monday night, for the full 90 min leaving you wanting to hear more. If its sounds too good to be true, believe it! Bill Ortiz is the real deal and there is no better way to end then with a quote from Ortiz himself.
In a recent interview with skopemag.com Ortiz was asked:
“What have you learned and experienced from working with Santana that had a profound effect on you?”
Ortiz responded: “I really connect with how he approaches the role of a band leader. He’s always looking for ways to keep the music fresh and the musicians reaching deep down for it. Nobody wants to see a band where the musicians are phoning it in. When you see Buddy Guy play, you see somebody who brings it hard EVERY day, EVERY gig and EVERY solo. That’s how they approach music and that’s what resonates with me.”
Keith B Dixon is a freelance media reporter whose focus is art and entertainment related stories. Keith also freelances for Suite101 and Associate Content. He is also professional photographer who is published monthly in various trade magazines in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento. Contact Keith here.
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