Today we’d like to introduce you to Javier Ortiz.
Hi Javier, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Javier Ortiz (Artist name Zitrovision). My family is from Puerto Rico, so we easily ended up in Florida where I grew up most of my life. Around 20 years old I was ready to start exploring beyond the beach life and started traveling throughout USA’s scenic landscapes experiencing the beautiful national parks. This was incredibly inspiring for me. So I continued to cross borders and meet the rest of the world, traveling through Latin America and most of Europe.
I was always attracted to Spain, having over 50% of my blood being Spanish, the other half native Taíno. Spain is where I found my future – my true self without the constant programming of American issues. There I found my wife, my son, and this magical instrument called the handpan, all of which continues to change my life, evolving and growing.
I discovered the handpan during a concert of my wife Margo (artist name “Sealskin”) who was performing with a friend on the instrument with lovely and serene melodic tranquil sounds I’d never heard before. At the time, was more falling in love with Margo than the instrument itself. Most have a similar story initially falling in love with the handpan at first sight/sound. For me, I pursued true love first. As Margo and I traveled more and more, we visited Brazil where we met a new friend walking by with a big turtle sheel bag on his back which was obviously a handpan. We connected and began to film some music videos together. As Margo sang with Gabriel (artist name Rair) and his handpan, I noticed how beautiful they were together and I wanted to be that man playing handpan with her singing, especially after seing how percussive and powerful Gabriel was playing, I realized how incredible this instrument truly is. To be able to play so melodic and serene and tranquil while at the same time mixing that style with power, percussion, presence, and patience all in harmony.
I took 1 lesson with Gabriel and was a natural from the start. It took me a over a year to get my own handpan, as they are quite a journey and exploration to find for everyone. Rare instruments that take months to fabricate by magicians hiding in the mountains, and not so many at that. Eventually Margo and I started making music together and we haven’t stopped. We’ve performed and toured through Florida and mostly Spain. Having released two albums now in less than 2 years of starting to play handpan, we are preparing to tour through Europe Summer of 2025 performing at various handpan music festivals [Swiss Handpan Festival and Pangonia] while also continuing to create music and raise our baby boy who has inspired so much of our music already. We feel he was also conceived from the loving space and connection we created while making some our first love songs. Now we continue to make lullabies for him and even perform together live for intimate concerts – me playing handpans and Margo singing while holding our boy, Ilaya.
I also very much enjoy mixing this magic instrument into the world of music, collaborating with many musicians, artists, and instrumentalists. Most of our first album [Earth is my Home] was created in Tampa with local artist friends Nick Ewing, Sunya, Cam Ginex, Jacob Whitt and even more jazzy tunes with Natalie Depergola, Shevonne, and others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Since starting my handpan career, it’s been mostly smooth. It’s an instrument that calls in you with patience and presence, intuition and authentic expression. So being with this intentional presence and true self, life seems to flow smoothly.
I can remember plenty of struggles before making music, but now everything feels in balance. Even when having difficulties, it all feels part of the natural flow of life.
Of course, raising a baby boy as new parents is incredibly challenging and difficult for anyone, it is also very fulfilling to grow together with love.
It feels like I have a different relationship with “hard times”
I am happy just to be safe and healthy and growing with my family
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a handpan music artist, teacher, and producer. I make handpan music in collaboration with other incredible artists making truly unique music that is new to this world as this instrument has also only been in existence since the year 2000, originally created in Switzerland.
I also am very happy to share the instrument and invite everyone at my concerts to try the handpan and explore more in lessons and classes as it can be very meditative and healing as it connects you with your true self and authentic expression. It being a very intuitive instrument, there’s no wrong way to play it if you take the time to feel yourself in connection with the handpan, the nature around you, and the beauty within you.
Any big plans?
I just released my 2nd album [“Waves of Resonance“] and am excited to be finishing a double deluxe version already with a dozen more tracks and collaborations. This expanded version in total combines the handpan with guitars, bass, soulful vocals, piano, drums, violin, flutes, harp, and more 🙂
I just finished my first 6 city tour through Spain and am looking forward to tour through Europe this Summer playing in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland at Swiss Handpan Festival, Pangonia Handpan Gathering, PanParadise, and more as we continue booking opportunities.
Pricing:
- 50/hr handpan lesson in person
- 40/hr handpan lesson online
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/zitrovision
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zitrovision/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zitrovision
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ya3SA9BC6UkDTw6buXML1?si=Tp_JCcUfSfix3igjzTcMVw
Image Credits
I took the photos myself with self timer and tri pod as i am also a photographer for 15 years
