Luis Perico Ortiz

Early years

Ortiz was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the capital city of the island. He was raised in Santurce, a sector of San Juan. His family's love of music had influenced him before he was old enough to attend school. When his parents realized that their child was interested in music, they enrolled him in the la Escuela Libre de Musica Puerto Rico a school that specializes in music. From there he went on to study at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rican Symphony Orchestra

After he graduated from the Conservatory, Ortiz enrolled and attended the University of Puerto Rico to continue his musical education and where he would eventually earn his bachelor's degree. In 1967, at the age of eighteen, Ortiz participated as a guest sololist with the Puerto Rican Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pablo Casals.

In 1970, Ortiz moved to New York City and gained recognition as a talented trumpet player, composer, arranger and producer for his work with the likes of Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Fania All Stars, Blondie and David Bowie. He also accompanied Ann-Margret, Dionne Warwick, Diahann Carroll, Trini Lopez, Engelbert Humperdinck, Sammy Davis, Jr., Tony Bennett, Paul Anka and The Supremes with his trumpet.

Ortiz's own band

In 1971, Ortiz formed his own band and won the "Diplo" award in Puerto Rico for "The Best Trumpet Player of the Year". He was also awarded four Latin New York Magazine Trophies, "Best Trumpet Player of the Year", "Arranger of the Year", "Best Orchestra of the Year" and "Musician of the Year". In 1981, he was awarded an "ACE" Award for "Best Intrepeter of Salsa Music" and another "ACE" award in 1982 for the "Best New York Orchestra". In 1987, Ortiz and his band set out on a world tour which included the following places: United States, Puerto Rico, South America, Central America and Europe.

Discography

Compilations

Luis "Perico" Ortiz Productions, Inc.

In 1988, Ortiz founded his first company, Dialen Promotions, Inc. The company offers advertising, sound engineering, production and arrangement services in its own studios for radio and television "jingles". Among his clients are Smirnoff, McDonald's, Kodak, John Casablancas, Polaroid and HBO.

In 1993, Ortiz founded in Puerto Rico another company, Luis "Perico" Ortiz Productions, Inc. His new clients include Walt Disney Company and Quincy Jones. During the decade of the 1990s, Ortiz traveled with his band and performed in Aruba, Colombia and Japan. He also performed in Puerto Rico, alongside Lucecita Benitez and Tommy Olivencia, at the Luis A. Ferre Center of the Performing Arts in San Juan. Ortiz directed and produced a recording for Japanese singer Yoshihito Fukumoto member of the band Sweet Basil, Inc.

Later years

In 2002, Ortiz won a "TU Musica" Award for the "Best Christmas Production" and in 2004 he produced the first ever salsa gospel album. Luis "Perico" Ortiz currently continues to produce music and sound tracks. He is also a professor at the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico where he teaches Jazz Performance and Caribbean Music.