Bill Ortiz

S.F. Trumpeter Bill Ortiz on Playing with Souls of Mischief, Covering Gil Scott-Heron, and Touring with Sheila E.

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:47:38 +0000

”Souls of Mischief brought me in initially to replace a sample that was going to cost them too much to clear!” So says San Francisco-born trumpeter Bill Ortiz with a laugh as he recalls his contribution to the Bay Area rap quartet’s cherished debut album ’93 ‘Til Infinity. Ortiz’s playing can be heard on the chorus and outro to the song “Live And Let Live.” Now Ortiz has brought his commingling with the rap world up to date by featuring The Grouch and Zion I‘s Zumbi on his latest EP, which begins with a titular cover of Gil Scott-Heron’s “Winter In America” and is out now digitally.

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Bill Ortiz Video “Winter In Ameria” from the EP “Winter In America” Featuring Tony Lindsey and The Grouch

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:59:52 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

This song is a cover and tribute to the iconic artist Gil Scott-Heron, and features some very dynamic performances by Grammy award winning Santana vocalist Tony Lindsey, and conscious hip hop poet “The Grouch.” This song can be found on my latest EP release of the same name. The video was created by Ari Berger and domoarifoto- she’s an outstanding young visual artist. A longstanding member of the Santana band, Bill Ortiz is proud to present his new solo EP release Winter In America from his forthcoming album, Highest Wish. A follow up to his debut solo album From Where I Stand, the new project features conscious emcees such as The Grouch, Zumbi (of Zion I) and K-Maxx, as well as fellow Santana member (and 11 time Grammy® Award Winner) Tony Lindsey, and iconic poet/vocalist Linda Tillery, featured with a spoken word performance of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Nobel Peace Prize speech.

Join the Debut of My Video for “Winter In America” January 23.

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:18:01 +0000

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to let all my friends and fans know about the debut of my video for my release of “Winter In America” on Monday January 23rd 2012, at Noon Pacific Standard Time. You will be able to watch right here on my site.

This song is a cover and tribute to the iconic artist Gil Scott-Heron, and features some very dynamic performances by Grammy award winning Santana vocalist Tony Lindsey, and conscious hip hop poet “The Grouch.” This song can be found on my latest EP release of the same name. The video was created by Ari Berger and domoarifoto- she’s an outstanding young visual artist.

I look forward to your feedback-I hope you like it as much as I do

My EP is available to my Facebook friends and fans now at http://billortizmusic.bandcamp.com/

Thanks for your continued support of my music and independent artists!

Best Regards,

Bill Ortiz

Winter In America AOL Music Listening Party

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:04:50 +0000

Winter In America is a featured album on AOL Music. You can listen to the entire release on AOL Music.

Santana’s Trumpet Player Goes Hip-Hop For MLK Day

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:54:47 +0000

(AllHipHop News) Bay area rap veterans The Grouch and Zumbi will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday with a new collaborative EP with Santana’s trumpet player, Bill Ortiz.

The Grouch and Zumbi by are among the artists who have teamed with Bill Ortiz to release the album Winter in America, which is the predecessor to his forthcoming album, Highest Wish.

Bill Ortiz has played with Santana for over 12 years, but he has also been connected to the Hip-Hop world as well.

Bill Ortiz has played trumpet on a variety of Hip-Hop artists’ tracks, including “93 til Infinity,” which was a hit for the Souls of Mischief, as well as songs by Tony Toni Tone, Destiny’s Child, TLC, and others.

“Carlos has always used music to inspire and bring people together,” Ortiz explained. “I follow in that tradition. I’ve been really encouraged by some of the Bay Area Hip-Hop artists like Zumbi and the Grouch who make music with enlightened lyrics.”

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