Born in Israel, Bortnick was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was immersed in the sounds of funk, rock, and soul. After moving to California, he began to play with African and Caribbean bands. As a graduate student at the University of Florida in Gainesville, he started the band What It Is, which became popular in the southeast touring circuit.
Bortnick became known as a strong rhythm guitar player and came to John Scofield's attention[3] when assembling a band for his album Bump. A five-month tour extended to four-and-a-half years. In 2003, Bortnick released his first solo album, Clean Slate.
Bortnick has played with the Avi B Three, Shitty Shitty Jam Band (with members of The Brazilian Girls), Rene Lopez, Jihae, Erik Deutsch, and Betty Black and the Ghost Train Orchestra.
