Gumbi Ortiz: Stepping Out With Miami

Woodrow Wilkins

since 2004

Woody started in jazz with the diverse sounds of Maynard Ferguson's bands of the 1970s.

Recent articles (361 total)

Published: July 13, 2006

Ortiz explains a delicate balance between an artist's creative freedom and playing what audiences like, the latter of which may involve a bit of compromise. He says it's fine for an artist who feels something for the music he writes to record that, even if the recording is so weird that nobody wants to listen to it. However, such an artist should be prepared for negative responses. "Don't complain to me, Ortiz said with a laugh, "I told you not to make elephant noises records!

It's a lesson in futility to ask Ortiz about the inspiration behind certain song titles, apart from the self-explanatory ones like "T-Back and "Miami. "That means nothing to me because those are not the working titles, he said. "And then, when it's on, it's got a name. Man that is the worst; I am the worst at this. You know what I mean? I have a list of 15 songs, and then next to them, I can't remember what they're called now. I always have to go back to my iTunes over here. When people ask me, 'What about this one?' I stutter. I have to go look it up.

Gumbi Ortiz Sometimes, that doesn't help. "Even on my iTunes, it just says, 'Track 1.' The Janet Jackson song, we did the song, but we never knew what it was. It was always 'the Janet Jackson song.' That song, incidentally, is "Together Again. The other 13 tracks are originals, penned by Ortiz or members of the various lineups, including Lorber, Miles, Rodriguez and Weckl.

Ultimately, Ortiz will become more familiar with the titles. "At the end of two years, I'll know all the songs, he said. However, he hesitated when asked if he'll still be playing them in two years. "I don't know, but I'll know the songs, he said, laughing. It's an infectious atmosphere about the album. Whether you're a picky or insatiable, the smorgasbord that is Miami is sure to sate any musical appetite.

Selected Discography:
Gumbi Ortiz, Miami (Kwip, 2006)
Al Di Meola, Vocal Rendezvous (SPV UK, 2006)
The Latino Projekt, Soy De Aqui (Independent, 2005)
Los Hombres Calientes, Vol. 4: Vodou Dance (Basin Street, 2003)
Al Di Meola, Flesh on Flesh (Telarc, 2002)
The Latino Projekt, La Cura (Independent, 2000)
Al Di Meola, The Grand Passion: World Sinfonia (Telarc, 2000)
Al Di Meola, Orange and Blue (Bluemoon, 1994)