Born, raised and educated in the City of Brotherly, David Ortiz has lived in the city of Philadelphia until the age of 28, since then he has been a resident of the South Jersey area.  The first introduction to Latin Music was at the age of 17, when his younger sister made him listen to Cachao y Su Descarga, “Cuban Jam Sessions in Miniature.” His mother had the record collection that opened his mind to this great rhythm and ever since then, his sojourn has begun into this universe of Latin Music.

He started at WRTI 90.1 FM on March 2nd, 1977 – and every Saturday from 12 noon till 4pm his program called "El Viaje" had filled the airwaves with the fire of Latin rhythms.  In 1996 his program took a journey into the evening hours, first from 8 pm till midnight, and now from 9 pm till midnight.  Heard on the Temple University Radio Network, from as far west as Harrisburg, as far east Asbury Park NJ, as far south as Baltimore, and as far north as Newark NJ.  It has a core base of many multi-cultured diverse listeners who have stayed faithfully in tuned every Saturday night.  And now modern technology has allowed for a greater audience of people via the worldwide web @ www.wrti.org. Emails have come from as far away as Alaska where listeners praise the selection of music played on El Viaje.

He has been blessed with connections to diverse musical experiences as his taste in music extends beyond that of Latin music.  Such rhythms as R&B, Jazz, and Reggae are on the menu of his musical likings.

He did a stint for two years from 1983 – 85 at WSSJ 1310 AM - hosting a commercial radio show called the “Latin Night Flight.”

David Ortiz has been recognized and honored by the City of Philadelphia and the Southern New Jersey region as well numerous prestigious members of the Philadelphia community such as the late Grover Washington Jr. and Mr. William (Bill) Cosby Jr.

David Ortiz is an honorary board member of AMLA, the Philadelphia Association of Latin American Musicians.

Prestigious awards given:

• Best Radio DJ in Philadelphia 1983– La Associacion De Musicos Latinos Americanos de Philadelphia (AMLA)

• Best Radio DJ in Tri-State Region 1988 – Southern New Jersey Latino Broadcaster’s Association

• East Coast Latino Record Pool Club- Best Latin Radio Show and DJ Award 1994

• Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Recognition in the Latino Community 1996- Salseros International Dance School

• Philadelphia Magazine “Best of Philly” Annual Award, August 1997 “Best Radio Program” in the Philadelphia Area.

• Latino Music Flavor Magazine- 1998 Top Ten Latino Public Radio DJ and Latin Music Program Award – Latino Music Flavor Magazine.

• Latin Beat Magazine- 1999- Recognition given as one of the top 25 Latino radio DJs and top 25 Latino Public Radio Programs

For over 26 years El Viaje has been the journey that has taken Latin Music beyond the borders of “El Barrio” (the Latino Neighborhood), and David Ortiz has piloted this flight on its’ steady course for all to enjoy the explosive rhythms heard throughout our region and beyond.

David Ortiz and EL VIAJE, the perfect combination to make Saturday nights filled with the fiery sounds of hot Latin Rhythms.