Anthony Ortega

A talented and advanced improviser, Anthony Ortega had his first major job with Earle Spencer's Orchestra in 1947. After serving in the Army, he was with Lionel Hampton's big band (1951-1953), including Hamp's ill-fated European tour. Ortega played with Milt Buckner, led his own group in Los Angeles, visited Scandinavia in 1954 (which resulted in an LP for Vantage), and then in 1955 relocated to New York. He had stints with Nat Pierce (1956-1958), Dizzy Gillespie, Maynard Ferguson, Paul Bley, and the Quincy Jones Big Band (1960). From then on, he often led his own group, movin...