Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
This band has no press
Discography
" Iroko"
" La Cura"
" Yo Soy de Aqui"
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Gumbi Ortiz and the Latino Projekt, a high-energy outfit led by guitarist Al Di Meola's regular percussionist, easily the most impressive of the Florida local acts. The Projekt's airtight Afro-Cuban rhythms, made to move your feet, supported boisterous chanting and singing by Ortiz / Ray Olan / Carlos Ocasio and lead vocalist Hector Mayoral.
The Latino Projekt's infectious fusion of eclectic music, as documented on their New CD "Yo Soy De Aqui" , has yielded a similar response everywhere, from Skipper's Smokehouse and other nightclubs to major festivals throughout the Sunshine State, around the Southeast and beyond: Folks can't help moving their feet to the insistent beats, to be charmed by the charisma of Gumbi and singer-percussionist Hector Mayoral, and taken with the exotic, but earthy sound of the band. If the polyrhythms don't get you, the group's high spirits most definitely will.
"I wanted to start playing music you could dance to, so I went back to my roots, which is Cuban music," says Gumbi, an internationally known musician and longtime sideman for Al Di Meola. "I had to dig back into my bag of Cuban tricks. This music is more primitive in the way it hits you on a physical and emotional level. Once you hear that drum - It's so %$#@ primal and sexual. People get hypnotized."
Gumbi, a well-respected percussionist who has also worked with Larry Coryell, Rachel Z, Gato Barbieri, the Afro-Cuban All Stars, for his own band has assembled a group of simpatico area musicians.
Ray Olan: a longtime friend, on the Florida music scene, has spent time with Ortiz performing vocals and percussion since early on. also a pianist Olan has been an Alegre Recording artist with his own band Sason . Hector Mayoral Lead Vocals. Drummer Johnny Z , Ben Winkler on piano, and electric bassist Kenny Walker have collectively played with a variety of funk, rock, rap, Latin and jazz bands. The band is often joined by guest horn players
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