MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay -- HONOLULU -- Recently retired from the Marine Corps, Eddie Ortiz and his Son Caribe Band are now heating up things in town here.
Ortiz has been playing music professionally since he was a teen in Florida.
"I learned to play music in high school. I was one of the only kids there ever to score perfectly on my music entry exam," he explained. "I guess I was meant to entertain others."
During his school days, Ortiz graduated to playing music with local groups, and eventually found himself doing gigs at Disney World and Busch Gardens.
"Those were really fun times, but I wanted to do more. One day I was talking to a Marine recruiter, and I actually believed him when he said if I joined, I would be playing music around the world," said Ortiz.
Planning to do a four-year hitch, Ortiz served for 20. During those 20 years, he played throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia, proving true the prediction by his Marine Corps recruiter.
"I spent nine years in Japan alone," Ortiz recalled.
Finishing his military career at Marine Corps Base, Kaneohe Bay, in 2003, Ortiz served as the trumpet section leader for the Marine Forces Pacific Band. He attributes much of his success to the Marine Corps.
Similarly, Ortiz and his band are quickly climbing the ladder -- now recognized as the top salsa group in Hawaii.
Ortiz said his band is "blessed with some excellent musicians," and joining him in Son Caribe is female vocalist Cynthia Romero, percussionist Jesse Rivera and vocalist Frankie Ramirez. Arvin Lucio is on vocals, keyboards and bass, while guest percussionist Rodney Perez rounds out the congas, timbales, campana and guiro.
Performing together since April 2002, Son Caribe has been shaking Hawaii's hips with its exciting brand of Latin rhythms and smooth jazz stylings.
April 3, Ortiz and his band will take the stage as headliners in a show that also features the band Aloha Brazil.
The former staff sergeant and his group promise that, that night is "going to be a great night of music and dance."
According to the band's Web site (www.soncaribe.com), "it's our sincere desire to continue entertaining the public with the best Latin music. Our goal is that the music and sound we are working to develop collectively is what you'll remember and enjoy."
The place to be is the Topa Financial Showroom in Honolulu, April 3. When patrons come out to the concert, they will experience what a career in the Marine Corps can do for someone.