Fernando Ortega Explained

Fernando Ortega
Birth Name:	Juan Fernando Ortega
Birth Date:	March 2, 1957
Birth Place:	Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Nationality:	American
Known For:	Christian singer, songwriter
Education:	Music at the University of New Mexico^[1]
Website:	fernandoortega.com

Juan Fernando Ortega^[2] (born March 2, 1957)^[3] is a singer-songwriter in contemporary Christian music. He is noted both for his interpretations of many traditional hymns and songs, such as "Give Me Jesus", "Be Thou My Vision" and "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty", and for writing clear and easily understood songs such as "This Good Day".

Biography

Ortega was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, near the banks of the Rio Grande. He started learning piano at eight years of age.^[4] Through his father's work with the United States Department of State, he also spent time in Ecuador and Barbados. His family lived in Chimayó, New Mexico, for eight generations, a legacy cited as an influence on his music.^[5]

Ortega graduated from Valley High School and the University of New Mexico, where he received his bachelor's degree in music education. He is a member and former worship leader at an Anglican church in Albuquerque.^[6]

It is from his heritage and classical training at the University of New Mexico that Ortega derives his sound, embracing country, classical, Celtic, Latin American, world, modern folk and rustic hymnody.

Discography

• In a Welcome Field (1991/2000)
• Meditations of the Heart - piano solos (1993)
• Hymns and Meditations (1994)
• Night of Your Return (1996)
• This Bright Hour (1997)
• The Breaking of the Dawn (1998)
• Give Me Jesus – EP (1999)
• Home (2000)
• Camino Largo (2001)
• Storm (2002)
• Hymns of Worship (2003)
• Fernando Ortega (2004)
• Live In St. Paul – DVD (2004)
• Beginnings (2005)
• The Shadow of Your Wings: Hymns and Sacred Songs (2006)
• Christmas Songs (2008)
• Meditations of the Heart: Encore – piano solos (2011)
• Come Down O Love Divine (2011)
• Best Of – Live In St. Paul – CD (2015)
• The Crucifixion Of Jesus (2017)
• Other appearances include:
  • Calvary Chapel Music Praise, Vol. 1 ("How I Love You Lord" and "Teach Me Your Ways")
  • Calvary Chapel Worship Alive, Vol. 1 ("I Will Delight" and "Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying")
  • Next Door Savior ("How Deep the Father's Love For Us")
  • The Making of a Godly Man ("Jehová, Señor De Los Cielos" and "Jesus, You Are My Life") (1997)
  • The Odes Project ("Sing Allelu" and "I Stretched Out My Hands")
  • Unknown Albums: "I Will Sing the Wondrous Story" and "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing"

Charts

Storm reached No. 197 on the Billboard 200 in 2002.

Christmas Songs reached No. 36 on the Billboard Christmas Album Chart in 2009.

Awards

Dove Awards

• 1998
  • Bluegrass Song: "Children of the Living God"
• 2000
  • Inspirational Album: Home
• 2002
  • Special Event Album of the Year: City on a Hill (various artists)

External links

• Official Site

Notes and References

1. Web site: Fernando Ortega: The PRISM Interview by Dwight Ozard. 2008-01-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20190419071954/http://www.dwightozard.com/lq-article.asp?id=69. 2019-04-19. dead.
2. Web site: Children of the Living God Work ID No. 332498534 ISWC No. T0728214843 . . American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers . October 12, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130306032310/https://www.ascap.com/Home/ace-title-search/index.aspx . March 6, 2013 . American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers . Work ID No. 332498534
3. Book: Cusic, Don. Fernando Ortega. Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music: Pop, Rock, and Worship. ABC-CLIO, LLC. October 12, 2015. 2010. 318–9. 9780313344268.
4. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1999/january11/9t1084.html Zoba, Wendy Murray. "The Hard Songs of Fernando Ortega", Christianity Today, January 11, 1999
5. Web site: Schmitt. Jenny Lind. Singing and sojourning - WORLD. 2020-08-24. world.wng.org. en. 2020-12-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20201201150518/https://world.wng.org/2018/09/singing_and_sojourning. dead.
6. Web site: Gregor . Ralinda . NOTED CHRISTIAN ARTIST PART OF NEW CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO . American Anglican Council . May 14, 2010.