BILL ORTIZ From Where I Stand Tangent Records

Just when you thought all the bases for high caliber trumpet players were covered… think again! FROM WHERE I STAND, the debut release from Bill Ortiz is smoking hot! A well-seasoned veteran from San Francisco, Ortiz brilliantly plays a sweet, supple trumpet on 12 masterful tracks. He was wise to take his time with this debut, respectfully cutting his chops and garnering a talent pool of remarkable colleagues through the years. Ortiz’s credits are a Who’s Who list of contemporary music stars: Santana, Patty Austin, Chick Corea, Beyonce and Boz Scaggs are just a few! FROM WHERE I STAND spins tight in the audio player… it grooves and cools you with jazzy riffs of trumpet, guitar, keyboards and percussion - each taking a seamless turn in the spotlight. Tasty overall, but I like extra helpings of “Ayejaye,” “Full Circle,” and “In Every Breath.” Add this to your collection and file it next to Braun and Botti! ~BROOKS WALKER