Gumbi Ortiz

Gumbi Ortiz (born October 13, 1955) pronounced “Goom-bee,” is an American percussionist, composer, producer, and music educator. For over 35 years, he has been the go-to percussionist and right-hand man for fusion guitarist Al Di Meola, accompanying him on solo shows and playing on various records, in various bands. His influences span genres, from jazz/fusion and pop to retro-soul, samba, and even a hint of Irish jig.

Ortiz’s debut solo album, Miami, pays tribute to his adopted home state of Florida, where he has resided since 1980. Saxophonists Eric Marienthal and Brandon Fields, keyboardist Jeff Lorber, and drummer Dave Weckl also play on it. Ortiz’s compositions draw from a wealth of styles, reflecting his Afro-Cuban roots, Latin rhythms, and even a touch of what he calls "Herbie Hancock funk." Ortiz has also led other projects, such as his group The Gumbi Band, The Latin Projekt, and eventually New Groove City. This was well received by critics, and peaked at #2 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Album chart. He was featured again on Di Meola's next album World Sinfonia, also released in 1991. He played on Di Meola's next two studio albums, "Orange and Blue" (released in 1994) and "The Infinite Desire" (1998) in which Herbie Hancock plays acoustic piano.

Between tours, Ortiz continued to write, record, and perform music with his own bands. The first was a jam band, The Gumbi Band, whose completely improvised album Imagine That!

His 2007 release Miami is his only solo album. Mostly smooth jazz, it has elements of funk, salsa, and pop. Di Meola, his longtime collaborator, also returned to play on it. The Allen Carman Project are: Allen Carman, Philippe Saisse, Gumbi Ortiz, Luis Aliceia and Kenny Anderson. Its debut album Carmanology has contributions from musicians such as Marc Antoine, Rick Braun, Nile Rodgers, Andy Snitzer, and Don Harrison.

In 2016, Ortiz worked with Marc Antoine on the album Laguna Beach. He also plays on a few songs from Senri Kawaguchi's 2016 album Cider: Hard & Sweet.

Ortiz is credited on Saisse's album On the Level, which was released in 2017.

The Allen Carman Project released the album I've Arrived in February 2024.