Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Venezuelan percussionist Luisito Quintero might not be a household name, but in the small world of New York's Latin music fraternity he's regarded as one of the hottest timbaleros in town.
Luisito Quintero was born in Caracas, Venezuela where his musical influences began. Cultural vibes of Afro-Venezuelan rhythm surrounded him at home where his father was a respected percussionist in his native country that tutored and encouraged Luisito on timbales through his adolescent years. Luisito come from a long line of outstanding musicians which includes his uncle “ Carlos Nene Quintero” and cousin “Roberto Quintero”, continued on his musical journey enhancing his studies at Orquesta Simfonica de Venezuela (The Symphonic Orchestra of Venezuela) where his timbale technique soon gained attention from his respective colleagues. Luisito soon after joined the popular music ensembles Grupo Guaco and El Trabuco Venezolano, and traveled extensively with Oscar D’Leon, where he enjoyed worldwide exposure. Luisito’s live playing credits, projects and recordings are endless. He has embraced his percussion style working with the late Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Richard Bona, Jack Dejonette, Willie Colon, George Benson, Natalie Cole, Herbie Hancock, Nuyorican Soul, and Masters at Work to name a few
.
Luisito Combining Afro-Latin rhythms with jazz and bossa nova sounds Elements of Life quickly became one of the hottest albums to hit dance floors from sea to sea. As well as being an inspirational influence Luisito is also a member of the Elements of Life band which has been touring for the past three years. The band has shared stages with some of the top artist in the business, such as Robert Plant, Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys. The EOL band has played some of the top festivals from the likes of Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Roskilde (Denmark), Blue Note (Japan), Jazz Café (London) and the legendary New Morning Café (Paris).
- Jazz Times August 28, 2009
Discography
Percussion Maddness
Percussion Maddness Revisited
Photos
Bio
Luisito Quintero was born in Caracas, Venezuela, where he was surrounded by Afro-Venezuelan and Afro-Cuban rhythm and music. His father, a respected percussionist in his native country, tutored and encouraged Luisito on timbales through his adolescent years. Luisito comes from a long line of outstanding musicians which includes his uncle, Carlos Nene Quintero and cousin Robert Quintero. Luisito studied at the respected Orquesta Simfonica de Venezuela (The Symphonic Orchestra of Venezuela), and his percussion technique soon garnered attention from his colleagues. He joined the popular music ensembles Grupo Guaco and Oscar D'Leon, where he enjoyed widespread worldwide exposure.
Besides being known for his skillful timbale work, Luisito also plays congas, bongos, drum set, djembe, dundun and a wide variety of assorted percussion instruments. His technique on all of these instruments is masterful and unparalleled. Luisito has worked and recorded with, The Rolling Stones, Vanessa Williams, Paul Simon, Santana, Jack De Johnette, David Sanborn, George Benson, Tommy LePuma, Joe Sampler, Bill Cosby, the late Celia Cruz and Tito Puente, Cachao, Eddie Palmieri, Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Richard Bona, Ravi Coltrane, Claudia Acuna, Nathalie Cole, Diana Krall, Roy Agrove, Giovanni Hidalgo, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Spanish Harlem, Willie Colon and countless other high-profile music acts. Luisito is comfortable working in any genre of music from Symphonic to Jazz and from Latin to House. One of his recent projects finds him as musical director for Louie Vega and the Elements of Life Band as well as extensive work with Jack DeJohnettes Latin Project.
Quintero has earned more than thirteen Grammy certificate awards for his participations in numerous recordings for re-known artists like: Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Diane Krall, Spanish Harlem, George Benson among others.
Luisito' solo project under Vega Records/BBE, "Percussion Maddness" and "Percussion Maddness Revisited" took him on a sold out European Tour spanning the entire continent with performances in NORWAY, SCOTLAND, GREECE, MOROCCO, SPAIN, BULGARIA, UNITED KINGDOM, THE NETHERLANDS, IRELAND AND GERMANY. The album "Percussion Maddness Revisited" feature great appearances with Anane, Chulius of Los Amigos Invisibles, Blaze, Milton Cardona, Jose Mangual, Jr & Claudia Acuna.
He is presently touring and special featuring with artists like the Tony Award & Grammy winner jazz artist, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gato Barbieri, Irving Mayfield, Spanish Harlem among others.
Quintero is preparing his new recording project which promises to be a very pleasant and exciting surprise to the music industry and worldwide fans alike.
As one of the most sought after percussionist in the country at this time, Luisito Quintero will continue to build his legend as a skilled clinician who shares his limitless knowledge of music to younger percussionists around the world. Today, he is an established and respected musician, teacher, band director, and master percussionist, and continues to push the boundaries of his craft.
Links
