Tony Ortiz

Tony Ortiz was born on January 20, 1981 and raised in the Bronx, New York, where he was exposed to music at an early age. Through radio and MTV music videos, he found an interest in both music and the art of drumming. Influenced early on from all types of music ranging from Hip Hop to Heavy Metal, Tony always remained open minded, which expanded his knowledge of his favorite artists, as well as the art form of playing drums in various genres.

At the age of 16, Tony started taking lessons with Joel Rivera of Bronen’s Music in the Bronx. It was also at that age that his parents bought him his first drum set which he used for practice and playing in bands throughout high school. After high school, he decided to expand his knowledge of playing drums by studying other drummers in genres such as Funk and Jazz. He discovered various literature and instructional DVD’s from these great drummers to help improve and add to his already developed Hard Rock and Metal style of playing.

After gaining more confidence in his playing by opening up to other styles, Tony then formed and played in various bands all across the New York and New Jersey music scene. Since drummers were, and still are, in such high demand he has played for musicians in genres of Progressive Rock, Funk, Pop, Rock, Jazz and Metal bands. Applying his knowledge and passion for these styles, he quickly gained recognition amongst his peers, as well as with veteran musicians.

Now 10 years since his first drum lesson he finds himself in what he believes to be the perfect music situation for him. Since 2005 his band Dead Letter Box has been creating a strong following as one of the most energetic and passionate Hard Rock/Metal bands to come out of the New York tri-state area scene. Because of getting such great exposure, the band has played in some of the biggest clubs such as The Continental, Hammerstein Ballroom, Knitting Factory, Peabody’s, The Starland Ballroom, and many others.