Bill Ortiz, Santana's Supernatural Trumpeter, Releases K-Maxx-Remixed Hip-Hop Single, Word Play Featuring Bay Area Soulstress FEMI
nicholasg980
Sound: http://audioloom.com/Public/BillOrtiz/WordPlayRemix.mp3
December 4, 2009 - San Francisco, CA - Bill Ortiz, Santana's longtime
Supernatural Trumpeter, who has been receiving nothing but accolades
since the July release of his debut CD, From Where I Stand, announces
the release of the K-Maxx-remixed Hip-Hop single, Word Play, featuring
the vocal talents of FEMI. K-Maxx, aka Ken Hopkins, is a legendary San
Francisco Hip-Hop recording artist, producer, also the host of KPOO
FM's wildly popular new music program "Ghetto Gumbo".
As a recording artist, K-Maxx has released several popular underground
CDs during the Bay Area's 'Rap Reign' in the 90'. As producer, K-Maxx
has worked with other leading Bay Area Rap and Hip-Hop artists,
including Tower of Power's Lenny Williams, who recently cracked the
nation's Top 30 Urban AC charts, Too $hort, Andre Nickatina, and King
Tech, to name only a few.
Ortiz is quick to point out, "I've been a big fan of K-Maxx for a
longtime, and I love his production skills." While K-Maxx is a gifted
Hip-Hop producer, he's also a gifted multi-instrumentalist, who is as
proficient on a piano, guitar, and bass as he is with a mixing desk
and sampler. "K-Maxx thinks like a musician," continues Ortiz, "and he
comes from classic R&B background, like I do, so we share a common
music vocabulary that also includes Soul and Hip-Hop. This is what
makes his production style so unique."
When Ortiz discovered that K-Maxx was playing the track Word Play from
debut CD, From Where I Stand, to his "Ghetto Gumbo" audience, Ortiz
states, "K-Maxx is an amazing barometer and supporter of Bay Area
music and musicians and it was a complete surprise and honor to
receive his recognition. It wasn't long after we got in touch and put
the wheels in motion for him to produce a Hip-Hop remix of Word Play."
Word Play was remixed at San Francisco's iconic Pyramind Studios, and
final mixing was a done by Steve Heithecker with Bill Ortiz and K-
Maxx.
The most authoritative national music industry magazine, Music
Connection, states, "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." Keith Hannaleck of MuzikReviews.com gives Four Stars and
states, "It comes as no surprise that his solo effort From Where I
Stand turns out to be first rate material." Carlos Santana states,
"Bill articulates the beautiful language of jazz without losing the
purity and innocence of a child. It's a wonderful experience to share
music every night with him."
To receive a review copy of From Where I Stand, or the remix single,
Word Play, or to see Bill Ortiz live in February 2010, when he returns
to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino's Joint, contact Christopher
Buttner, at ch...@prthatrocks.com.
For Radio enquiries please contact Adam Liebovitz at ASL Media at
telephone: 949-448-9444 or via e-mail at ad...@aslmusicmedia.com or
Brian Gerhard at Rocket Shop Promotions by email
br...@rocketshoppromotions.com. For US distribution enquiries contact
Steffen Franz or Ben Lang at Independent Distribution Collective,
telephone: 415 292-7007 or via e-mail at sa...@independentdistro.com