Luis Conte (born 16 November 1954) is a Cuban percussionist 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. He began his music career as a studio musician for Latin Jazz acts like Caldera. Conte's live performance and touring career took off when he joined Madonna's touring band in the 1980s. Neil Strauss of The New York Times describes Conte's playing as "grazing Latin-style percussion". Conte immigrated to Los Angeles in 1967, where he attended Los Angeles City College studying music, and entrenched himself in the music community. Conte's career includes composing and playing in ABC TV's Dancing with the Stars band, along with many TV and film projects.

Early years

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.

Musical career

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.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

As sideman (in alphabetical order)

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 Steven Curtis Chapman 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