Wanda Ortiz
Encyclopedia
Wanda Ortiz is the bassist of the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens
(billed as the "World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden
").
. While she took lessons on playing her first musical instrument, she taught herself to play electric bass at the age of 11 when her school had a jazz band. She continued playing bass throughout her school years, eventually earning a B.Mus degree from the University of California, Irvine.
Before joining The Iron Maidens
, Ortiz was the bassist of the band Rotten Rod & The Warheads from 1997 to 2002 and Heartache City from 1999 to 2001. In 1998 and 2004, Ortiz won the Best Female Bassist award at the Rock City News Awards and in 2003, won the best bassist award at The All Access Music Magazine Awards.
On September 2002, Ortiz joined The Iron Maidens and has constantly remained with the band ever since. As a member of The Iron Maidens, Ortiz's stage name is "Steph Harris," a female version of Iron Maiden
bassist/founder Steve Harris
.
In addition to The Iron Maidens, Ortiz works as a freelance musician in various groups and orchestras in the Southern California
area, including The South Coast Symphony Orchestra as principal bassist since 1996. She was also the bassist of an original rock
/blues
band called Field of Vision in 2004.
Aside from Steve Harris, Ortiz cites Geddy Lee
and Chris Squire
among her influences. Her favorite Iron Maiden songs are "Losfer Words (Big 'Orra)
", "Phantom of the Opera", "Powerslave" and "Rime of the Ancient Mariner".
, G&L Musical Instruments, RotoSound
Strings, Schroeder Superior Sound Cabinets, Coffin Case and Monster Energy
Drink.
Ortiz's main bass guitar on stage is a glitter blue G&L SB-2. She also uses a black SB-2 on select shows.
The Iron Maidens
The Iron Maidens are an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2001 as an all-female tribute act to English heavy metal band Iron Maiden...
(billed as the "World's Only Female Tribute to 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...
").
Biography
Wanda Ortiz first learned to play the bass at the age of nine, when the elementary school she attended had a music program that enabled students to sign up and choose an instrument. When she arrived late on "instrument day" of that class, she wound up with a junior-sized double bassDouble bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
. While she took lessons on playing her first musical instrument, she taught herself to play electric bass at the age of 11 when her school had a jazz band. She continued playing bass throughout her school years, eventually earning a B.Mus degree from the University of California, Irvine.
Before joining The Iron Maidens
The Iron Maidens
The Iron Maidens are an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2001 as an all-female tribute act to English heavy metal band Iron Maiden...
, Ortiz was the bassist of the band Rotten Rod & The Warheads from 1997 to 2002 and Heartache City from 1999 to 2001. In 1998 and 2004, Ortiz won the Best Female Bassist award at the Rock City News Awards and in 2003, won the best bassist award at The All Access Music Magazine Awards.
On September 2002, Ortiz joined The Iron Maidens and has constantly remained with the band ever since. As a member of The Iron Maidens, Ortiz's stage name is "Steph Harris," a female version of 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...
bassist/founder Steve Harris
Steve Harris (musician)
Stephen Percy "Steve" Harris is an English musician and songwriter, known as the bassist, occasional keyboardist, backing vocalist and primary songwriter of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, which he founded in 1975...
.
In addition to The Iron Maidens, Ortiz works as a freelance musician in various groups and orchestras in the Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
area, including The South Coast Symphony Orchestra as principal bassist since 1996. She was also the bassist of an original rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
/blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
band called Field of Vision in 2004.
Aside from Steve Harris, Ortiz cites Geddy Lee
Geddy Lee
Gary Lee Weinrib, OC, better known as Geddy Lee , is a Canadian musician, best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Canadian rock group Rush...
and Chris Squire
Chris Squire
Christopher Russell Edward "Chris" Squire , is an English musician, known as the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock group Yes. He is the only member of the group to appear on every album.-Before Yes:...
among her influences. Her favorite Iron Maiden songs are "Losfer Words (Big 'Orra)
Powerslave
Powerslave is the fifth studio album by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 3 September 1984 on EMI in Europe and its sister label Capitol Records in the US ....
", "Phantom of the Opera", "Powerslave" and "Rime of the Ancient Mariner".
The Iron Maidens
- World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden (2005/2006)
- Route 666 (2007)
- The Root of All EvilThe Root of All Evil (EP)The Root of All Evil is a Japan-only EP release by the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens. It includes three new cover recordings of Iron Maiden songs and a dance remix of "The Trooper." This was the band's last recording to feature lead vocalist Aja Kim and guitarist Heather Baker, who left...
(2008) - Metal Gathering Tour Live in Japan 2010Metal Gathering Tour Live in Japan 2010Metal Gathering Tour Live in Japan 2010 is a Japan-only live video by the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens. Recorded live during their tour in Japan on January 2010, it was the band's first release with new lead vocalist Kirsten Rosenberg and new guitarist Courtney Cox, and also the last to...
(video, 2010)
Equipment Endorsers
Wanda Ortiz is endorsed by BBE Sound, Digitech, Dunlop ManufacturingDunlop Manufacturing
Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc., known colloquially as Jim Dunlop, is a manufacturer of musical accessories based in Benicia, California. Originally founded in 1965 by Jim Dunlop, Sr., the company has grown from a small home operation to being a large manufacturer of music gear for over 40 years.- Way...
, G&L Musical Instruments, RotoSound
RotoSound
-History of Rotosound:Started in the late 1950's by James How -a musician and engineer by trade. How started manufacturing music strings for many famous artists across the world. Still a family run business all Rotosound strings are made in England....
Strings, Schroeder Superior Sound Cabinets, Coffin Case and Monster Energy
Monster Energy
-Distribution :Though it is not widely advertised in the media, Monster receives a large amount of recognition from its sponsorship of various sporting events, including motocross and car racing. Hansen Natural Corporation announced a distribution agreement with Anheuser-Busch in the U.S. and Grupo...
Drink.
Ortiz's main bass guitar on stage is a glitter blue G&L SB-2. She also uses a black SB-2 on select shows.