Bob Conti

Last updated
Bob Conti
Bob Conti Headshot.jpg
Background information
Birth nameRobert James Conti
BornDecember 27, 1947
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres Jazz, pop, R&B, New Age
InstrumentPercussion
Years active1967–present
Website www.bobconti.com

Bob Conti (born December 27, 1947) is an American percussionist known for his work with Donna Summer, Diana Ross, and his long-term collaboration with Jose Feliciano.

Contents

He composed and played percussion for Bad Girls, an album that went double platinum. He also produced The Genius of Jose Feliciano Vol 1 & Vol 2 on his own record label, Joyfull Productions.

Early life

Conti was born in Brooklyn and joined the American Legion's Drum and Bugle Corp at 12. [1] [2] He later moved to Los Angeles and attended Venice High School, where he played Baritone Sax in the high school dance band, "The Crescendos," and had his own band, "The Circle of One." [3] [4] After high school, Conti's music career took precedence over his college education at Santa Monica College. [5]

Career

Conti's career started when he won a radio contest with his band, leading to performances with well-known artists and eventually recording an album with Wilson Pickett. [6] [7] Later, he was signed by Jubilee Records as a songwriter and lead vocalist. Conti then joined The Platters as saxophonist and lead vocalist.

Throughout his career, Conti has performed with various artists in the studio and on tour, working on over 150 albums. He has also been a composer, publisher, musical director, television presenter, and bandleader.

Bob Conti at Montreaux Jazz Bob Conti at Montreaux Jazz.jpg
Bob Conti at Montreaux Jazz

Donna Summer years & Jose Feliciano

Conti performed with Donna Summer from 1977 to 2010, contributing to her double platinum Bad Girls album. On that album, he composed "Can't get to sleep at night". [8] [9] He then collaborated with José Feliciano from 1982 to 2016, producing several albums and touring worldwide. In addition to writing songs for him, Bob produced several of his albums, including The Genius of José Feliciano, Volume 1 [10] and Volume 2 [11] and From the Heart. [12]

Jose Feliciano & Bob Conti Epcot Center Jose Feliciano & Bob Conti Epcot Center.jpg
Jose Feliciano & Bob Conti Epcot Center

Present day

Since 2016, Conti has focused on charitable projects and established a non-profit organization called "We Celebrate US." In March 2017, he was appointed by the Mayor of Thousand Oaks, California, to the position of Cultural Arts Commissioner of the Thousand Oaks, California Cultural Affairs Commission/Alliance for the Arts, a term that ended in November 2019. In 2017 Bob was one of the producers of the City of Thousand Oaks' live stage show, the 2017 Excellence In The Arts Awards, and also provided some of his original music for the production. [13]

Awards

AwardAlbumArtistCreditsYear
GoldThe Sound of Vienna José Feliciano Percussion1988
GoldEscenas de AmorJosé FelicianoWriter, percussion1982
Double Platinum Bad Girls Donna Summer Composer, percussion1979
Platinum [14] Live and More Donna Summer Composer, percussion1978
Platinum Once Upon a Time Donna Summer Percussion1977

Discography

AlbumArtistCreditsYear
Donna: The CD Collection [15] Donna Summer Percussionist2014
Groovin'Martini Kings (Tony Marsico)Bongos, percussionist2014
Moments Magical [16] Marty KrystallPercussionist2014
Closer José Feliciano Writer, composer, percussionist2011
The Genius of José Feliciano Vol. 1José FelicianoProducer, percussionist, background vocalist2011
The Genius of José Feliciano Vol. 2José FelicianoProducer, percussionist, background vocals2011
From the HeartJosé FelicianoProducer, percussionist, background vocals2011
Life and the Romantic [17] Bruce Sudano Percussionist2010
New Morning: The Paris Concert [18] José FelicianoPercussionist, group member2009
Resurrection Swamp Dogg Main personnel, Congas, bongos, percussionist2007
The Taste of You (Sabor A Mi)Wayne BoyerCongas, bongos, percussionist2007
A Mellow Jazz ChristmasBob ContiPercussionist, primary artist2006
Bob Conti's Big Band ChristmasBob ContiPrimary artist, percussionist2006
Pure Liz Story Liz Story Percussionist2006
Tropical JourneysBob ContiPrimary artist, producer, percussionist2006
Little Drummer BoyBob ContiPrimary artist, percussionist2006
GoldDonna SummerPercussionist2005
Marcia Greatest Hits Marcia Hines Percussionist2004
The Collected Works of the Roches The Roches Percussionist2003
Jazzy Christmas (Vertical Jazz)Bob ContiPercussionist, primary artist2001
Romance & Passion [19] BeniseCongas, bongos, additional percussion2001
RevolutionLittle SistaPercussionist2001
Jazz Relaxante [20] Bob Conti, Federico Ramos Primary artist, percussionist2000
Heart & Soul: Romantic Dedications [21] Bob Conti, Federico Ramos, Ramón Stagnaro, Adam Del MonteProducer, percussionist, hand drums, composer1999
Sounds of Wood and Steel, Vol. 2Richie Sambora and Various ArtistsCongas, djembe1999
The Art of StorytellingSlick RickComposer1999
Santa Fe SpiceBob ContiProducer, performer, composer, primary artist, percussionist1998
Visions and RhythmsBob ContiPerformer, composer, primary artist, percussionist1997
AmericanoJosé FelicianoCastanets1996
Music, Harmony and Rhythm: The Casablanca Years Brooklyn Dreams (group) Percussionist1996
Behind The Memories Rita Coolidge Percussionist1995
An Evening with Sitting Bull [22] Bob ContiPrimary artist, producer, percussionist, concept, composer1995
Disco Mixes Claudja Barry Percussionist1995
The Donna Summer AnthologyDonna SummerPercussionist1993
Mistaken Identity (Donna Summer album) Donna SummerPercussionist1991
Steppin' Out [23] [24] José FelicianoShaker, triangle, whistle, percussionist1990
Joe Bruce & 2nd AvenueJoe Bruce & 2nd AvenuePercussion1987
Unaccountable EffectLiz StoryPercussion1985
Como Tú Quieres [25] José FelicianoComposer, percussion1985
Made in America [26] [27] The Carpenters Percussion1981
Nurds The Roches Percussion1980
Won't Let Go [28] Brooklyn Dreams (group) Percussion, writer1980
Won't Let Go [29] Brooklyn Dreams (group) Percussion, writer1980
Jeff Kutash and the Dancin' MachineJeff Kutash and the Dancin' MachinePercussion1980
Room with a View Player Percussionist1980
Bad Girls (Donna Summer album) Donna SummerComposer, percussionist1979
Night MiraclesKenny NolanPercussion1979
Feel the FireClaudja BarryPercussion1979
Joy RideBrooklyn DreamsPercussion1979
Live and More Donna SummerComposer, percussion1978
Midnight RhythmMidnight RhythmPercussion1978
Getting' The SpiritRoberta KellyPercussion1978
M.A.3M.A.3Percussion1978
Once Upon a Time...Donna SummerPercussion1977
Nature's SecretMichael CassidyPercussion1977
A Change of HeartGolden AvatarPercussion1976
Direct Disco [30] Gino Dentie and the FamilyPercussion1976
Join Me and Let's Be FreeWilson PickettPercussion1975

Soundtracks and theme songs

Movie/seriesComposerSongYear
3:15 - The Moment of TruthBob Conti, Joe "Bean" Esposito"Out of Control"1986 [31]
Road StoriesBob ContiTheme song1992

Endorsements

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