A poet and songwriter who began his career at the end of the '50s, Cortez delivered mostly romantic songs that linger in the memory. Drawing his subject matter from daily life, he exuded confidence as he wrapped his voice around the lyrics with precision. Whether adopting a narrative tone or pouring forth his romantic soul, his vocal prowess belied a fragile sensitivity. Some of his songs feature orchestral instrumentation or a pop polish, while others employ sparse instrumentation and, with a touch of reverb, approach perfection in their simplicity.