Robert Ortiz, 'The Quarter Moon' joined the Roughcuts in December 2005, adding flair, style and sweet sweet trumpet tones to the front line. In addition, Robert contributes richly to the vocal background, musical arrangement, and also helps keep Diamond Simon in line!.

Robert has been playing professionally for over 30 years. He was musically trained at South West Texas University in San Marcos, and performed with the touring University Symphonic Orchestra, and The Brass Choir, and was also a member of the 1:00 jazz band for two years during his college years.

After college Robert toured, performed, and recorded with the Legendary Tejano Music Hall of Famer and Hacienda Records recording artist Alfonso Ramos and his Orchestra for 12 years, and fronted Alfonso's Orchestra for 2 more years. Robert often runs into friends who still remember him from these early days and thank him for giving their families so much joy over the years.

Every year for the last 17 years, Robert has performed TAPS, at various cemeteries on Memorial Day all over Texas, and will continue to do so. Also, for 12 years Robert was designated "Bugler" at Manor Downs Racetrack, playing "Call To The Post" along with other songs and enjoying entertaining the horse race crowd at Manor Downs.

Robert has played with several other significant bands which helped his career, including The Third Coast, grammy award winner Sunny Ozuna, Doug Sahm, the incomparable Mr. James Brown, Tower Of Power, Jumpstart - a runner-up for "Best Cover Band" in the Austin Chronicle's 1997 Austin Music Awards - and The Brew.

As well as performing with The Roughcuts, Robert is currently producing and promoting on a variety of projects under the guise of 'Quarter Moon Productions', and performing as much as possible to stay busy.

Robert dedicates his experience and music to his fellow musicians who are no longer with us, and from whom he learned so very much.