Introduction
Ethan Jordan Bortnick (born December 24, 2000) is an American pianist, singer, composer, songwriter, actor and musician. On October 3, 2010 (age 9), Bortnick was listed in the Guinness World Records for "The World's Youngest Solo Musician to Headline His Own Concert Tour". In July 2011 (age 10) he became the youngest headliner at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Bortnick has been featured on national and international television programs. He has raised over $50,000,000 for charities. He received the 2010 Outstanding Artist Award, and in 2011 he received the Telly award in TV Programs/Segments.
Early life and education
Bortnick was born in Pembroke Pines, Florida. His parents, Hannah and Gene Bortnick, are Jewish immigrants from Ukraine.
Career
PBS specials
At 9 years old, Bortnick became the youngest artist to have his own National PBS Concert Special "The Power of music". The Power of Music has been rated the number one concert pledge show on Public Television for 2014/2015.
In 2017, Bortnick presented the 3rd National PBS television concert "Generations of Music," with a special guest appearance by Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary), Bethany Yarrow and Rufus Cappadocia and guided by musical director David Rosenthal, and directed by the Emmy-nominated Leon Knoles.
Also in 2017, Ethan Bortnick started his own nationwide talent search called "Celebration of Music." The show travels to various cities across the United States and allows contestants between the ages of 4 to 24 a chance to compete to win the opportunity to perform in a national television show.
Concert in Las Vegas
On July 22 and 23, 2011, at the Las Vegas Hilton Bortnick became the youngest headliner ever in Las Vegas, at ten years of age.
Recorded album
In August 2011, Bortnick recorded his first album in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The album was produced by Gary Baker, and his collaborators Matthew Craig and Rob Collier. The album is the soundtrack to the film Anything is Possible, where Bortnick plays the leading role.
Melody Street
Bortnick was the host of Melody Street, a 22-minute musical-variety-show for preschoolers. Bortnick and his five best friends, a band of animated musical instruments; Val Violin, Febe Flute, Timmy Trumpet, Heidi Horn and Sammy Snare, entertained kids with humor, songs, skits, interactive games, backstage dramas, and celebrity musical guests.
Live performances
2007
- Opened Nelly Furtado's first US show on her tour, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
2008
- Performed a full concert with the Naples, Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, under the musical direction of Andrew Lane.
- Performed to raise money for the Miami Children's Hospital Foundation's Diamond Ball and Concert, featuring Beyoncé Knowles, Smokey Robinson, and Gloria Gaynor at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL. A record $12 million was raised for the Foundation.
- Co-hosted the Chabad Telethon, which raised $8 million in one night.
2009
- Performed with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Performed at a fundraiser benefiting the Miami Children's Hospital Foundation with chef Emeril Lagasse.
- Performed at a Parkinson's disease fundraising event hosted by Muhammad Ali
- Performed at a private event for George Davidsohn at the Fontainebleau Hotel backed by members of Billy Joel's band. Bortnick performed with Mark Rivera, Tommy Byrnes, Chuck Burgi, Andy Cichon, and David Rosenthal.
- Performed for the 18th annual Society of Singers Ella Awards, honoring Herb Alpert and Lani Hall.
- Opened for Sir Elton John, Gladys Knight and Tony Bennett. This event was to raise money for the Starkey Hearing Foundation and was hosted by Billy Crystal.
- Performed, as the sole entertainer, for the Annual Benefit Event of American Friends of Lubavitch.
- Headline performer at the Nokia Theater at LA Live.
- Performed for OneXOne.
2010
- Opened for Jordin Sparks, Jason Derulo, Sam Moore, David Archuleta for a Super Bowl Party at Miami's Eden Roc Hotel, raising money for various children's charities.
- Performed at The Grammy Museum a solo show for students.
- Performed at the Children Mending Hearts Benefit.
- Performed live at Los Angeles' KCET radio studios during the station's pledge drive.
- Performed at the Delta Awards Ceremony for Children's Miracle Network.
- Performed with Ben Folds and the Nashville Symphony to help raise funds for the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
- Performed at Haim Saban's IDF fundraising dinner in Beverly Hills, opening for David Foster and Andrea Bocelli.
2011
- Performed at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas to raise money for the Remax and Children's Miracle Network Auction.
- Performed in a concert for the Larry King Foundation. Bortnick opened for Mary J. Blige.
- Opened the 27th National Space Foundation Symposium.
- One of the headliners of the 2011 Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Other headliners included Natalie Cole and Herbie Hancock
- Opening act for Marvin Hamlisch in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
We are the World – 25 for Haiti
On February 1, 2010, Bortnick recorded with some 70 artists, the song "We Are the World 25 for Haiti". This was the 25th anniversary of the original recording. The song premièred Friday, February 12, during the opening ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Radio/print
On February 12, 2010, Ethan was featured in Rolling Stone in an article titled "Preview the New "We Are the World," Plus Meet Nine-Year-Old Singer Ethan Bortnick"
On August 1, 2010, Ethan was featured in the LIFE section of the USA Today.
On May 1, 2011, Ethan was featured in the Keyboard Magazine In a section entitled "MAJORminor".
On July 22, 2011, Ethan was featured in the Las Vegas Review Journal, in the NEON Entertainment section.
On October 2013, Ethan was on the Esquire Magazine's 80th anniversary cover, titled "The Life of Man"
On November 18, 2013, Ethan was interviewed for The Flash List, an entertainment Newsletter in the article "Interview with Piano Prodigy Ethan Bortnick"
On November 19, 2013, Ethan was featured in GAP brand global celebrity ad campaign.
On November 12, 2015, Ethan was featured in Keyboard Magazine in an article titled "Piano Men Celebrate the Power of Giving" with David Rosenthal.
On August 25, 2017, Ethan was featured in Broward Family Life, in the entertainment section.
Discography
Albums
- 2013: Anything is Possible OST
DVDs/CDs
- 2007: Live in Concert "By Me" Ethan Bortnick
- 2010: Ethan Bortnick and His Musical Time Machine
- 2014: Ethan Bortnick in Concert: The Power of Music
Singles
- 2008: The Champ
- 2011: It's all about Music
Tours
- 2015 – 2016: The Power of Music
- 2010 – 2011: Musical Time Machine
Television and guesting
- 2015: Ethan Presents Himself/Host
- 2014: The Power of Music Himself/Host
- 2010: Fox and Friends Christmas Special Himself/Guest
- 2010: The Fran Drescher Show Guest/Performer
- 2010: The Wendy Williams Show Guest/Performer
- 2010: Ethan Bortnick and His Musical Time Machine Himself/Host
- 2010: Melody Street Himself/Host
- 2009 – 2012: Canada AM Guest/Performer
- 2009: Yo Gabba Gabba (Nickelodeon show) Himself/Guest
- 2009: Mornings with Kerri-Anne (Australia) Guest/Performer
- 2008 – 2011: The Oprah Winfrey Show Guest/Performer
- 2008: Little Einsteins on Disney Channel Himself/Guest
- 2007 – 2010: Good Morning America Guest/Performer
- 2007 – 2009: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Guest/Performer
- 2007: The Martha Stewart Show Guest/Performer
- 2007: Inside Edition Guest/Performer
- 2007: Access Hollywood Guest/Performer
- 2007: The Early Show Guest/Performer
Awards and nominations
Young Artist Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Ethan Bortnick | Outstanding Instrumentalist | Won |
| Year | Ethan Bortnick | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethan Bortnick | Bob Hope award -The Next Generation of Hope | Won |
Telly Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Ethan Bortnick | TV Programs/Segments | Won |
Other awards
On April 1, 2014, Ethan was presented with the Next Generation of Hope Award by the USO.