Claudio Ortiz

Percussionist and Capoeirista

Claudio Ortiz is a Puerto Rico born, Charlotte based multi-instrumentalist and multimedia artist who has created and performed in several bands, solo projects, plays, and art installations over the last 15 years. While interested in Afro-Latin drum traditions for years, the inability to perform in 2020 and most of 2021, inspired Claudio to begin the practice of playing congas as a way to study and contextualize the various rhythms that influence his life and music. As part of the NCBAP Bateria, Claudio is looking forward to expanding his learning of yet another realm of traditions that, while distinct, share the commonality of being vehicles for jubilation, resistance, and communal healing.