Cuban born, world class percussionist Luis Conte joins us for a candid conversation about his incredible life and experiences as a young cuban refugee growing up in Hollywood.  Growing up in Cuba, Luis began his musical odyssey playing the guitar however he soon switched to percussion and that has remained his primary instrument ever since.  Moving to Los Angeles in 1967 Luis attended Hollywood High School and Los Angeles City College.  By the 1970’s he quickly became a busy studio musician.  Touring and playing with James Taylor, Madonna, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton,  Phil Collins, Rod Stewart and Shakira Luis built a successful career including composing and playing in ABS’s Dancing with The Stars Band among hundreds of other tv and film projects.

What you will hear

Luis’s upbringing in Cuba

Early musical influences

Luis leaving Cuba alone at the age of 14

From Spain to Hollywood

The sacrifice it took to flee Cuba

Culture shock

Learning English

High School and LA City College

Transition from guitar to percussion

Gigs and the musicians union

First tour and tour life

Songwriting

Quotes

“The drums call you.”

“God has always had me like a marionette

Quotes

Mongo Santamaria

Carlos “Patato” Valdez

Francisco Aguabella

Armando Peraza

Tata Güines

Ricardo Abreu aka Papin

Los Papines

Walfredo De los Reyes Sr.

The Beatles

Aretha Franklin

Motown

Four Tops

The Temptation

Ramon Stagnaro

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