Juan Carlos Ortega

Juan Carlos Ortega was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. As a child, he played his mother's pots and pans as drums. At 15, he practiced on a pair of used timbales he managed to buy himself, and learned as much as he could by watching all of his favorite Latin musicians. Several years later, while helping a friend who was a roadie for artist Rudy Regalado of Rudy Regalado y Cheverre, Juan was able to learn even more by watching Rudy Regalado, and other musicians such as Kevin Ricard, Michito Sanchez, Tiki Pasillas, Poncho Sanchez, Justo Almario and Cachao perform on stage. Juan went on to improve his talent as a percussionist by studying with local musicians and taking various percussion and Latin percussion classes at LACC and Glendale Community College.Juan Carlos has played with such musicians as Octavio Figueroa of Octavio Figueroa y La Combinacion, Paul Lopez - trumpet/composer/producer, Bill Keis - producer/composer, solo artist - Michele Jusko, Walter Segundo of Walter II Y Rumbaney, Ricardo Lemvo y Makina Loca and Tito Puente Jr. to name a few. Although Juan had played with various local musicians, it seemed that he found his niche in the year 2000 when he was introduced to Orquesta Guayao through a mutual friend. Also in that year, Juan Carlos was approached by Timba, and was offered an endorsement with the company. After accepting, he signed a two year contract, and to date he remains an endorsee of Timba. Today, in addition to teaching students minor percussion and playing with various groups and artists around town, Juan Carlos maintains his passion of playing hard salsa and has taken on new and exciting responsibilities of percussionist with Angel Lebron y Su Sabor Latino, The Alex Arndt Band and son Del Alma.~~~Juan Carlos has had the privilege of performing at the following venues:Café Sevilla Club Salsa Century Club Cohibas Nightclub & Lounge Conga Room Coppacabana Cuban Bistro El Floridita Restaurant Florentine Garden’s Highland Grounds JC Fandango's Knitting Factory, The Los Angeles Convention Center Mayan, The Mama Juana's Molly Malones Monsoon Cafe Pig'n Whistle, The Quiet Cannon Banquets Rumba Room, The Salsa Club 2000 South Village, The Sport’s Mans Lodge Stevens Steak and Seafood House Temple Bar The Granada The Key Club The Mint The Tropicana Viper Room, The VIVE Latin Asian Fusion Dining & Lounge World Famous Lighthouse Café~~~

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