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. Through his father's work with the United States Department of State, he also spent time in Ecuador and Barbados. His family lived in Chimayo, NM for eight generations, which has been cited as an influence on his music. It is from his heritage and classical training at The University of New Mexico where Ortega derives his unique sound, embracing country, classical, Celtic, Latin American, world, modern folk and rustic hymnody.
Classically trained as a pianist but also steeped in the Hispanic tradition of his New Mexico homeland, gospel singer/songwriter Fernando Ortega recorded more than a half-dozen LPs for various labels before signing to Myrrh/Word in 1997, as part of a Christian musical renaissance which saw a variety of musical traditions entering the liturgies of mainline churches. An aficionado of American and Irish folk as well as the Spanish-oriented music he grew up with, Ortega also studied early music and hymns as part of his education.
After 15 years, 12 albums, and five record labels, classically-trained pianist/singer-songwriter Fernando Ortega continues to make beautiful, inspirational music that follows his family's long tradition of artistic talent. His ancestors were artisans and weavers and helped shape him into the articulate and creative musician that he is today.