Despite this upcoming Saturday performance with his band New Groove City as part of Straz’s Jazz Project, Gumbi Ortiz doesn’t consider himself a jazz musician.
“I don’t see myself as a genre player. I’m not a jazz player, or a conga player, or a Latin player, or funk player. I just see myself as a drummer,” Ortiz told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay during interviews for our Jazz Issue. Ortiz and his band not only entertain the masses on the Straz’s Riverwalk Stage Saturday night but Ortiz is also hosting a free Latin Percussion Workshop earlier that day at the Patel Conservatory.
Though both events are free, you will need a ticket for a spot. The Straz Center has been golden in its COVID-19 protocols and continues to be, because it ain’t over yet. Masks are still required, and social distancing seating is in place. In helping with contact tracing, Straz is also helping the CDC contact trace, and has posted a disclaimer saying that a ticket purchase or class registration authorize Straz to release your contact and seating information to state and federal health authorities in the event of potential exposure to COVID-19.
Gumbi Ortiz and New Groove City. Saturday, April 17, 7 p.m. Free. Riverwalk Stage at David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. strazcenter.org
See a list of Tampa “Safe & Sound” live music venues here.
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This article appears in Apr 15-22, 2021.