| Luis Conte | |
| Background: | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Birth Name: | Luis Cristóbal Conte |
| Birth Date: | 16 November 1954 |
| Birth Place: | Cuba |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Instrument: | Percussion |
| Associated Acts: | James Taylor, Madonna, Al Dimeola, Pat Metheny Group, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Jaguares, Phil Collins, Maná, Shakira |
Luis Conte (born 16 November 1954) is a Cuban percussionist[1] best-known for his performances in the bands of artists including James Taylor, Madonna, Pat Metheny Group, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Phil Collins, Rod Stewart and Shakira.[2] [3] [4] He began his music career as a studio musician for Latin Jazz acts like Caldera.[5] Conte's live performance and touring career took off when he joined Madonna's touring band in the 1980s.[6] Neil Strauss of The New York Times describes Conte's playing as "grazing Latin-style percussion".[7]
Conte immigrated to Los Angeles in 1967, where he attended Los Angeles City College studying music, and entrenched himself in the music community.[8] Conte's career includes composing and playing in ABC TV's Dancing with the Stars band,[9] along with many TV and film projects.[10] [11] [8]
Conte was born in Santiago de Cuba. As a child, Conte began his musical odyssey playing the guitar. However, he soon switched to percussion, and that has remained his primary instrument ever since.
He was sent to Los Angeles by his parents in 1967, in order to prevent him from being forced to serve in the Cuban military. This was a turning point in Conte's life, as the musical community in Los Angeles during this period was quite vibrant. It was during this period that he studied at Los Angeles City College.
Conte proved himself versatile musically, and by 1973, he was playing regularly in local clubs. He quickly became a busy studio musician, and throughout the 1970s, he played in the Latin Jazz band Caldera.
In the 1980s, Conte toured with several different musicians, including Madonna, guitarist Al Di Meola, and Andy Narell. His debut as a bandleader came in 1987, when he released La Cocina Caliente, which included a Latinized version of Chopin's "Susarasa". Conte also played percussion on the Pat Metheny Group release 'We Live Here', in 1995, on the Pat Metheny 'From This Place', in 2020 as well as I Mother Earth's first two albums Dig (1993) and Scenery and Fish (1996).
Conte has toured as part of James Taylor's "Band of Legends." He has also played alongside musicians including Alex Acuña, Jaguares, Larry Klimas, and David Garfield, both as a bandleader and a sideman.
Luis Conte was part of Phil Collins 1997 "Dance into the Light" tour and 2004 "First Farewell Tour", performing in both of them Afro-Cuban percussion and adding more depth into the concert songs. He also performed during The Phil Collins Big Band tours in 1996 and 1998 and again during the Phil Collins Not Dead Yet tours 2017/2018.
In 1999 Conte collaborated in Maná MTV Unplugged project.
In 2009 worked together with Sergio Vallín in his Bendito Entre Las Mujeres album.
With Peter Allen
With Anastacia
With Angelica
With Paul Anka
With Patti Austin
With George Benson
With Michelle Branch
With Jackson Browne
With George Cables
With Glen Campbell
With Belinda Carlisle
With Cher
With Chicago
With Toni Childs
With Joe Cocker
With Natalie Cole
With Phil Collins and The Phil Collins Big Band
With Rita Coolidge
With David Crosby
With Gavin DeGraw
With Céline Dion
With Lara Fabian
With Clare Fischer
With John Fogerty
With Aretha Franklin
With Nelly Furtado
With Charlotte Gainsbourg
With Josh Groban
With Thelma Houston
With Al Jarreau
With Jewel
With Elton John
With Gregg Karukas
With Chaka Khan
With Patti LaBelle
With David Lasley
With Julian Lennon
With Kenny Loggins
With Madonna
With Ziggy Marley
With Richard Marx
With Christine McVie
With Bette Midler
With Kylie Minogue
With Michael Nesmith
With Jennifer Paige
With Bonnie Raitt
With Emily Remler
With LeAnn Rimes
With Linda Ronstadt
With Brenda Russell
With Boz Scaggs
With Selena
With Shakira
With Vonda Shepard
With Lisa Stansfield
With Rod Stewart
With Curtis Stigers
With Barbra Streisand
With James Taylor
With Terence Trent D'Arby
With Julieta Venegas
With Roger Waters
With Tony Joe White
With Deniece Williams
With Paul Young
With Carlos Santana (Supernatural) BMG 2000
With Warren Zevon