Ramon Ortiz (musician)
Encyclopedia
Ramon Ortiz is a Puerto Rican guitarist, best known as a member of the band Puya
. He is currently sponsored by Fernandes Guitars
, who built him his first signature 7 string tribal themed guitar
, designed by him.
Ortiz was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico
. He started the guitar at seven years old. The Caribbean
island
of Puerto Rico has always been a melting pot of musical expressions for him.
, still one of Latin America
's most notable bands. In 1999, Puya signed with MCA/Universal Records
, and recorded the album Fundamental
, produced by Gustavo Santaolaya. In that same year, Fundamental won the Latin Billboard Award for “Best Rock Fusion Album” and set them touring with Ozzy, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kiss
, Iron Maiden
, Pantera
, System of a Down
, and many others. At that point, Ortiz had proved that heavy rock and Latin music could coexist within the same musical terrain.
. In 2006, the band was signed to Bieler Brothers and released their first album “Steep Trails
,” produced by Ortiz and Bob Marlette
. By 2007, Ankla was touring with Ozzfest
and making their way several times across the US
, Canada
, and Central
and South America
. Ankla’s single “Deceit
” was on heavy rotation on Sirius Satellite
“Hard Attack
” and quickly became a listener favorite. “Steep Trails
” was published as #12 in Revolver Magazine’s list of “Top Metal Albums of 2006.”
Now days Ramon still active with Puya
and Ankla
, also he is a teacher at several Los Angeles
music schools and regularly conducts open-counselling sessions as a guest at The Musician’s Institute
.
It was produced by Nick Page
(The Darkness) and Ramon. Mastered at Rock Roach Studios.
It features master Oscar Santiago on all drums and percussions and Ramon leading all string instruments.
Puya (band)
-History:Formed under the name Whisker Biscuit in 1988 and originally playing only instrumentals, the band added vocalist Sergio Curbelo in 1992 and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they created a mix of salsa and heavy metal with the assistance of Jeff Renza and the Noiz Boiz production...
. He is currently sponsored by Fernandes Guitars
Fernandes Guitars
Fernandes Guitars is a guitar and accessory manufacturer that originated in Japan in 1969, building flamenco guitars. As the company grew it expanded production to include more acoustic guitars, electric guitars, bass guitars, amplifiers, and accessories to become one of the biggest guitar...
, who built him his first signature 7 string tribal themed guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, designed by him.
Ortiz was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
. He started the guitar at seven years old. The Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
of Puerto Rico has always been a melting pot of musical expressions for him.
Puya
Ramon eventually formed the eclectic PuyaPuya (band)
-History:Formed under the name Whisker Biscuit in 1988 and originally playing only instrumentals, the band added vocalist Sergio Curbelo in 1992 and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they created a mix of salsa and heavy metal with the assistance of Jeff Renza and the Noiz Boiz production...
, still one of Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
's most notable bands. In 1999, Puya signed with MCA/Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
, and recorded the album Fundamental
Fundamental (album)
Fundamental is the thirteenth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1998 .-Track listing:#"The Fundamental Things" – 3:45#"Cure for Love" – 4:11...
, produced by Gustavo Santaolaya. In that same year, Fundamental won the Latin Billboard Award for “Best Rock Fusion Album” and set them touring with Ozzy, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
, Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
, Pantera
Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
, System of a Down
System of a Down
System of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is a rock band from Southern California. The band was formed in 1994. It consists of Serj Tankian , Daron Malakian , Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan...
, and many others. At that point, Ortiz had proved that heavy rock and Latin music could coexist within the same musical terrain.
Ankla
Later, Ortiz formed the even heavier, AnklaAnkla
Ankla is a metal band with Latin influences such as flamenco from Los Angeles, California.-History:...
. In 2006, the band was signed to Bieler Brothers and released their first album “Steep Trails
Steep Trails
-Track listing:All songs Ramon Ortiz unless noted.# "Sinking " – 5:37# "Step Ahead" – 3:45 # "Deceit" – 2:39 # "Seasons Never Change" – 4:15 # "Generación Mutante" – 2:12...
,” produced by Ortiz and Bob Marlette
Bob Marlette
Bob Marlette is an American record producer, recording engineer, mixer, keyboarder and songwriter.-Musician:Bob Marlette started out as a session musician and the first album he appeared on was Al Stewart's 24 Carrots...
. By 2007, Ankla was touring with Ozzfest
Ozzfest
Ozzfest is an annual festival tour of the United States featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon Osbourne, both of whom also organize each yearly tour with their son Jack Osbourne...
and making their way several times across the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and Central
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. Ankla’s single “Deceit
Deceit (album)
Deceit is the second album by This Heat. Deceit is considered by many as a classic of the post-punk era and was ranked by Pitchfork Media as the 20th greatest album of the 1980s...
” was on heavy rotation on Sirius Satellite
Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...
“Hard Attack
Hard Attack (album)
Hard Attack is an album by Dust, released by Kama Sutra Records in 1972. This is their second album to date. The cover art is a previously published piece by Frank Frazetta entitled "Snow Giants".-Track listing:# "Pull Away/So Many Times" – 5:02...
” and quickly became a listener favorite. “Steep Trails
Steep Trails
-Track listing:All songs Ramon Ortiz unless noted.# "Sinking " – 5:37# "Step Ahead" – 3:45 # "Deceit" – 2:39 # "Seasons Never Change" – 4:15 # "Generación Mutante" – 2:12...
” was published as #12 in Revolver Magazine’s list of “Top Metal Albums of 2006.”
Now days Ramon still active with Puya
Puya (band)
-History:Formed under the name Whisker Biscuit in 1988 and originally playing only instrumentals, the band added vocalist Sergio Curbelo in 1992 and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they created a mix of salsa and heavy metal with the assistance of Jeff Renza and the Noiz Boiz production...
and Ankla
Ankla
Ankla is a metal band with Latin influences such as flamenco from Los Angeles, California.-History:...
, also he is a teacher at several Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
music schools and regularly conducts open-counselling sessions as a guest at The Musician’s Institute
Musicians Institute
Musicians Institute is a privately owned for-profit music vocational school located in Hollywood, California. Although not a regionally accredited school, the school offers a variety of unaccredited Bachelor Degree, Associate Degree and Certificate programs in fields including contemporary music...
.
Solo Album
Finally "Infinitismo" the first single from Ramon upcoming solo album is available for download on his websites and online stores.It was produced by Nick Page
Nick Page
Nick Page may refer to:*Nick Page *Nick Page *Nick Page , a fictional character on the Australian soap opera Neighbours...
(The Darkness) and Ramon. Mastered at Rock Roach Studios.
It features master Oscar Santiago on all drums and percussions and Ramon leading all string instruments.