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Bill Ortiz' performing and recording credits include work with such diverse and dynamic artists as: Santana, Don Cherry, Tito Puente and Tony! Toni! Toné!

Others include, Dallas Austin, Patty Austin, Michelle Branch, Cachao, Tevin Cambell, Destiny's Child, Eagle Eye Cherry, Pete Escovedo, Ravi Coltrane, Chick Corea, DJ Quik, Lavay Smith, The Dramatics, En Vouge, Sheila E, Buddy Guy, Herbie Hancock, Anthony Hamilton, Lauryn Hill, Bobby Hutcherson, James Ingram, Irakere, Quincy Jones, Angelique Kidjo, Beyonce' Knowles, John McLaughlin, Andy Narell, Flora Purim And Airto, Todd Rundgren, Arturo Sandoval, Boz Scaggs, Wayne Shorter, Souls Of Mischief, The Spinners, TLC, Cecil Taylor, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Mary Wilson and Steve Winwood.

Presently, Bill is recording and touring with Carlos Santana, including his performances on the Grammy Award winning singles SMOOTH and THE GAME OF LOVE. In addition, he has been very active as a studio musician in Hip-Hop, R&B and jazz.

December 3, 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 email: chris@prthatrocks.com or tel: 415-302-0839.

For Radio enquiries please contact Adam Liebovitz at ASL Media at telephone: 949-448-9444 or via e-mail at adam@aslmusicmedia.com or Brian Gerhard at Rocket Shop Promotions by email brian@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 sales@independentdistro.com.