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Gumbi Ortiz: Miami

by Woodrow Wilkins
July 6, 2006

Gumbi Ortiz's debut is a musical smorgasbord that represents the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the percussionist's life. A longtime member of guitarist Al Di Meola's band, Ortiz has a passion for jamming--and food. It's the former that helped launch his professional career. Blending his Afro-Cuban heritage with jazz and other styles of music, he's followed the lead of Carlos Santana in mixing Latin sounds with pop. Although he started playing the sax when he was ...