Italian composer, arranger, conductor. Sometimes credited as Roger Higgins (born: 4-9-1931 in Pesaro [Marche] - died 24-1-2014 in Rome)
In the 50's, following the tracks of Stan Kenton, his model for inspiration, thanks to the innovative style and the sophisticated sonority, Ortolani founded his own Jazz band.
In 1962, he wrote, together with Nino Oliviero, his first soundtrack for the film/documentary "Mondo Cane" (A Dog's Life), directed by Gualtiero Jiacopetti, whose theme became a world-wide success