BIOGRAPHY
"I really don't know how I got started playing. As far back as my memory will go, I owned a drum. It's like asking someone how long they've been breathing."
Luis Conte
- June 2000
Luis has performed and/or recorded with:
Phil Collins
Jackson Browne
James Taylor
Madonna
Sergio Mendez
Ray Charles
Pat Metheny
Colbie Caillat
Beck
Shakira
Sade
Santana
Herp Albert
Steve Bach
OK Go
Me'shell Ndegeocello
Five for Fighting
Philip Bailey
Gerald Albright
Patrice Rushen
Tony Bennett
Louis Bellson
Toni Braxton
Big Mountain
Cachao
Belinda Carlisle
Cher
Goo Goo Dolls
Chi
Toni Childs
Eric Clapton
Pat Coil
Celine Dion
Djavan
Cristina Aguilera
Brandon Fields
Flans
Clare Fischer
Sammy Hagar
Robben Ford
Engelbert Humperdinck
Julio Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias
Jellyfish
Jewel
Tanya Maria
Ricky Martin
Elton John
Jack Jones
Chaka Kahn
Queen Latifa
Ozzy Osborne
Julian Lennon
Mana
Marco Antonio Solis
Ekichi Yazawa
Eros Ramazotti
Arturo Sandoval
Poncho Sanchez
Strunz & Farah
John Tesh
Michael Thompson
Yellowjackets
Rancid
Paul Young
Roger Waters
Steve Winwood
Vinx
Barbara Streisand
.....and many more
Luis Conte’s genius stems from his ability to integrate the powerful rhythms of his native Cuba with the American necessities of American pop music. His long and varied career has included numerous Hollywood film scores and mega-successful albums with Madonna, Ray Charles, Phil Collins, Santana, Shakira, Jackson Browne, Sergio Mendes, Cachao, and a multitude of other artists too numerous to mention.
Born in Santiago, Cuba, Luis spent the first 15 years of his life soaking up the rich musical heritage of “El Son” and Carnival. "Life in Cuba is all about enjoying life, and music is central to that lifestyle," Luis says. "Music is almost like food to Cuban people.” While immersed in the music of his native Cuba, Luis also developed a passion for Rock & Roll, R&B soul music, jazz, and the Beatles.
At 15, looking for freedom, Luis emigrated to Madrid, Spain. He soon had another opportunity to travel, this time to Hollywood. In California, Luis stayed with a cousin and attended Hollywood High School, playing guitar in numerous rock bands throughout his teens.
After high school, Luis met John Monteallegre, who reunited him with Cuban drums at LA City College. By the time he was 18, Luis was intensely interested in drumming and took every opportunity to play and to learn, drawing his inspiration from a deep source of rhythm absorbed during his youth in Cuba.
Since then, Luis has become one of the most respected and recorded percussionists in the world.
Some of Luis’ musical
influences:
All the drummers that play in Carnival in Santiago
Tata Guines
Mongo Santa Maria
Papin
Patato Valdez
Armando Peraza
Francisco Aguabella
Airto Moreira
Check out this 2002 interview:
"A Day With Luis
Conte", by Alex Pertout
Luis Conte & The Buddy Rich Big Band
Phil Collins Farewell Tour
Drum Jam with Luis, Phil, & Chester Thompson