2008 Woodie Awards
Jack of all trades
From the studio to the classrom, Randolph Ortiz shines in all aspects of his career
Diana Castaldini, Features Editor
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Features
Upon first meeting Dean Randolph Ortiz, one would never suspect that it was actually his distinguished music career which led him to his job in academia.
Ortiz, who initially came to St. John's as a Social Science Adjunct to teach Sociology and Psychology, attended Queens College as an undergraduate and then progressed to Skidmore College, Fordham University, Niagara Institute, and the SES Business and Tech Institute. Over the course of his years of study, he received numerous degrees; namely, Industrial Communications, Social Psychology, Liberal Studies, and Digital Electronics and Computer Technology. But long before Ortiz embarked on his prominent and lengthy academic pursuit, he discovered his true calling in music.
Ortiz became a musician at a very early age, studying piano, violin and cello at the New York School of Music. As a teen, he grew interested in rock and then became a bass player. But it was not until he began conducting a Latin Band in Puerto Rico that Ortiz discovered the genre of music which would eventually bring him success in the music industry.
During the period when Carlos Santana was becoming popular on the West Coast, the unique sound of two New York based Latin-rock groups caught the attention of young Ortiz, who was a 19-year-old up-and-coming rock bassist and arranger at the time.
"What was different about them," said Ortiz, "is that local groups either specialized in playing Soul, Rock or Latin music, and never combined the three."
Ortiz had been searching for a way to combine the powerful sound of rock with the rhythm of Latin music, and was able to have his dreams realized through the union of these two groups, which joined to form Seguida. The group became the opening act for the popular Spanish TV show Salsa and was able to work with famous musicians such as Willie Colon, Larry Harlow, Ray Baretto and Eddie Palmieri.
In 1973, under the musical direction of Randy Ortiz, the band leadership of percussionist Angel Nater Jr. and guitarist Louie Perez, Seguida gained a recording contract with FANIA records, the home of all major Latin bands, and flourished to eventually become the Latin-Rock pioneers for future bands to use as a prototype.
Ortiz, who initially came to St. John's as a Social Science Adjunct to teach Sociology and Psychology, attended Queens College as an undergraduate and then progressed to Skidmore College, Fordham University, Niagara Institute, and the SES Business and Tech Institute. Over the course of his years of study, he received numerous degrees; namely, Industrial Communications, Social Psychology, Liberal Studies, and Digital Electronics and Computer Technology. But long before Ortiz embarked on his prominent and lengthy academic pursuit, he discovered his true calling in music.
Ortiz became a musician at a very early age, studying piano, violin and cello at the New York School of Music. As a teen, he grew interested in rock and then became a bass player. But it was not until he began conducting a Latin Band in Puerto Rico that Ortiz discovered the genre of music which would eventually bring him success in the music industry.
During the period when Carlos Santana was becoming popular on the West Coast, the unique sound of two New York based Latin-rock groups caught the attention of young Ortiz, who was a 19-year-old up-and-coming rock bassist and arranger at the time.
"What was different about them," said Ortiz, "is that local groups either specialized in playing Soul, Rock or Latin music, and never combined the three."
Ortiz had been searching for a way to combine the powerful sound of rock with the rhythm of Latin music, and was able to have his dreams realized through the union of these two groups, which joined to form Seguida. The group became the opening act for the popular Spanish TV show Salsa and was able to work with famous musicians such as Willie Colon, Larry Harlow, Ray Baretto and Eddie Palmieri.
In 1973, under the musical direction of Randy Ortiz, the band leadership of percussionist Angel Nater Jr. and guitarist Louie Perez, Seguida gained a recording contract with FANIA records, the home of all major Latin bands, and flourished to eventually become the Latin-Rock pioneers for future bands to use as a prototype.
Be the first to comment on this story