World renown percussionist Gumbi Ortiz best known for his many years playing with superstar guitarists Al Di Meola, has achieve world wide recognition as one of the most exciting and knowledgeable congeros around! Ortiz whose parents immigrated to America in the '50's .... was raised in the south bronx...
Ortiz started playing with Latin bands at the early age of 11, bringing with him the knowledge of the West African drumming tradions that came from Nigeria to Cuba then to New York! Ortiz started playing with all the great Latin bands in and around New York City ... Ortiz was also in demand as a session player working with many of today's superstars! But as fate would have it, Ortiz moved to Florida at an early age to be with his family... he settle there and stared to perform with many of the Cuban acts in Florida! Ortiz took a break from his demanding Florida schedule and went to Paris in 1986,there he went to an Al Di Meola concert and left with out meeting the guitarist! Back in the states, a year to the date he saw Di Meola in Paris, Di Meola walked on Ortiz's show in Florida! When Al saw Ortiz' play it was magic from that day on! Ortiz was hired on the spot to play congas with the guitar great! Two days later he was in front of thousand people in Turkey, from then the two have traveled the world performing! In the late 90's Ortiz itching to play Cuban music, created the Latino Projekt, the band was Ortiz's way of blending his love for Cuban street music (aka rumba) and his love for the Cuban Son, also the new Cuban music known as Timba (a sound made popular buy Cuban groups like los Van Van) the band, with Eduardo El Russo!!! on vocals and percussion also Kenny Walker Masqueanda on bass Carlos Ocasio on Cuban flute, Johnny Z on drums and Carlos Marchena ..boards ..please check out the video !!
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Gumbi Ortiz and The Latino Projekt's Friend Space (Top 23)
Gumbi Ortiz and The Latino Projekt has 712 friends.
hey Gumbi, how are you? It's already a year since I saw you with Al in Germany.
Wow, did you hear this already? My favourite bassist Hadrien Feraud has been voted as "Rising Star Electric Bassist of the year" in the annual Critic's Poll of US Downbeat magazin.
Miss you Man. Come to Cali Soon Irish lass wants to hear the beat from your hands. Respectfully Yours Irish Lass Song Dedication Smooth by Carlos Santana played by Irish lass
HEY BIG CHIEF!!!! JUST CHECKIN IN. BABY COMING SOON 30 DAYS AND COUNTING !!!! I'LL BE BACK SOON . I KNOW, " PRACTICE AND RELAX " LOL. GOD BLESS MAN ......BIG MIKE
THANKS FOR THE LUV.. I ENJOYED YOUR PAGE. STAY IN TOUCH AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOGS AND LEAVE COMMENTS ON THEM.. I LIKE TO KNOW WHAT OTHERS THINK ON SUBJECTS THAT INTEREST ME..
GOD BLESS YOU GUMBI; man that is a killer video clip on your site ,and you sound great as always bro .Keep in touch and let me know when your in town playing .
My brother. Hello, I called Al about Morocco if he needs anything there no answer. All the best to u, let me know how can I help there. If he asks me to come they better pay this time. Come visit man
Hey Gumbi! Thanks for adding me as a friend in your musical world. Your musical talent is outstanding, and has been giving me pleasure over 20 years. Respect and Peace, Gayle
Thank you for the add and for posting the BEHIND THE SCENES videos with AL. I died laughing!!
Will love to see in another video just like a 20 min jam of you and AL thatll be a real treat!! I have of of AL'S DVDS and you guys have an amazing chemistry
