Juan Fernando Ortega
[ Work ID No. 332498534 ] (born March 2, 1957)
is a singer-songwriter in
contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music, also known as CCM, Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and s ...
. He is noted both for his interpretations of many traditional hymns and songs, such as "
Give Me Jesus", "
Be Thou My Vision
"Be Thou My Vision" ( sga, Rop tú mo baile or ''Rob tú mo bhoile'') is a traditional Christian hymn of Irish origin. The words are based on a Middle Irish poem that has traditionally been attributed to Dallán Forgaill.
The best-known English ...
" and "
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" is a Christian hymn based on Joachim Neander's German-language hymn "Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren", published in 1680. John Julian (priest), John Julian in his ''A Dictionary of Hymnology'' c ...
", and for writing clear and easily understood songs such as "This Good Day".
Biography
Ortega was born and raised in
Albuquerque
Albuquerque ( ; ), ; kee, Arawageeki; tow, Vakêêke; zun, Alo:ke:k'ya; apj, Gołgéeki'yé. abbreviated ABQ, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Its nicknames, The Duke City and Burque, both reference its founding in ...
,
New Mexico
)
, population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano)
, seat = Santa Fe
, LargestCity = Albuquerque
, LargestMetro = Tiguex
, OfficialLang = None
, Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...
, near the banks of the
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande ( and ), known in Mexico as the Río Bravo del Norte or simply the Río Bravo, is one of the principal rivers (along with the Colorado River) in the southwestern United States and in northern Mexico.
The length of the Rio G ...
. He started learning piano at eight years of age.
[Zoba, Wendy Murray. "The Hard Songs of Fernando Ortega", ''Christianity Today'', January 11, 1999]
/ref> Through his father's work with the United States Department of State
The United States Department of State (DOS), or State Department, is an executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the country's foreign policy and relations. Equivalent to the ministry of foreign affairs of other n ...
, he also spent time in Ecuador
Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ''Eku ...
and Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of the Americas, and the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands. It occupies an area of and has a population of about 287,000 (2019 estimate). ...
. His family lived in Chimayó, New Mexico
Chimayó is a census-designated place (CDP) in Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties in the U.S. state of New Mexico. The name is derived from a Tewa name for a local landmark, the hill of Tsi Mayoh. The town is unincorporated and includes many neighb ...
, for eight generations, a legacy cited as an influence on his music.University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico (UNM; es, Universidad de Nuevo México) is a public research university in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Founded in 1889, it is the state's flagship academic institution and the largest by enrollment, with over 25,400 ...
, where he received his bachelor's degree in music education.
It is from his heritage and classical training at the University of New Mexico that Ortega derives his sound, embracing country
A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while the ...
, classical, Celtic
Celtic, Celtics or Keltic may refer to:
Language and ethnicity
*pertaining to Celts, a collection of Indo-European peoples in Europe and Anatolia
**Celts (modern)
*Celtic languages
**Proto-Celtic language
* Celtic music
*Celtic nations
Sports Fo ...
, Latin American
Latin Americans ( es, Latinoamericanos; pt, Latino-americanos; ) are the citizens of Latin American countries (or people with cultural, ancestral or national origins in Latin America). Latin American countries and their diasporas are multi-eth ...
, world
In its most general sense, the term "world" refers to the totality of entities, to the whole of reality or to everything that is. The nature of the world has been conceptualized differently in different fields. Some conceptions see the worl ...
, modern folk and rustic hymnody.
Discography
* ''In a Welcome Field'' (1991/2000)
* ''Hymns and Meditations'' (1994)
* ''This Bright Hour'' (1997)
* ''The Breaking of the Dawn'' (1998)
* ''Give Me Jesus'' – EP (1999)
* ''Home'' (2000)
* ''Camino Largo'' (2001)
* ''Storm'' (2002)
* ''Night of Your Return'' (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'' – piano solos (2011)
* ''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
"O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" is a Christian hymn written by Charles Wesley.According to the use of the Episcopal Church. ''The Hymnal 1982''. The Church Hymnal Corporation, 1982, hymn number 493 The hymn was placed first in John Wesley's ...
"
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
A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards are presented annually. Formerly held in Nashville, Tennessee, the Dove Award ...
*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)
Gallery
Image:Fernando Ortega.JPG, Fernando Ortega performing at Taylor University
References
External links
Official Site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ortega, Fernando
1957 births
American gospel singers
Christian music songwriters
American male singers
Living people