VA - Louie Vega Presents Luisito Quintero - Percussion Maddness (2006)

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).