Fantuzzi’s Mystic Latin, Reggae, Afro-Funk at Corazon

Two amazing musician friends of Fantuzzi’s will be joining him for this rare night of aural pleasure. Check out these histories:

Percussionist – Luis Conte

Luis Conte’s genius stems from his ability to integrate the powerful rhythms of his native Cuba with the American necessities of American pop music. His long and varied career has included numerous Hollywood film scores and mega-successful albums with Madonna, Ray Charles, Phil Collins, Santana, Shakira, Jackson Browne, Sergio Mendes, Cachao, and a multitude of other artists too numerous to mention.

Born in Santiago, Cuba, Luis spent the first 15 years of his life soaking up the rich musical heritage of “El Son” and Carnival. “Life in Cuba is all about enjoying life, and music is central to that lifestyle,” Luis says. “Music is almost like food to Cuban people.” While immersed in the music of his native Cuba, Luis also developed a passion for Rock & Roll, R&B soul music, jazz, and the Beatles.

At 15, looking for freedom, Luis emigrated to Madrid, Spain. He soon had another opportunity to travel, this time to Hollywood. In California, Luis stayed with a cousin and attended Hollywood High School, playing guitar in numerous rock bands throughout his teens.

After high school, Luis met John Monteallegre, who reunited him with Cuban drums at LA City College. By the time he was 18, Luis was intensely interested in drumming and took every opportunity to play and to learn, drawing his inspiration from a deep source of rhythm absorbed during his youth in Cuba.

Since then, Luis has become one of the most respected and recorded percussionists in the world.

https://www.luisconte.com

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Trumpeter – Wadada

Wadada Leo Smith was born in Leland, Mississippi, and his musical life began in high school concert and marching bands. At the age of thirteen, he became involved with the Delta Blues and other music traditions. His formal musical education came from his stepfather Alex “Little Bill” Wallace, composer and guitarist, and one of the pioneers of electric guitar in Delta Blues.

Wadada Leo Smith, trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and improviser is one of the most acclaimed creative artists of his times, both for his music and his writings. For the last five decades, Mr. Smith has been a member of the historical and legendary AACM collective. He distinctly defines his music as “Creative Music.” Mr. Smith’s diverse discography reveals a recorded history centered around important issues that have impacted his world.

Mr. Smith was also honored by the Jazz Journalists Association as their 2017 Musician of the Year as well as the 2017 Duo of the Year for his work with Vijay Iyer. The JJA also named him their 2016 Trumpeter of the Year, 2015 Composer of the Year, and 2013 Musician of the Year. Also, in 2013 he was also selected as DownBeat’s Composer of the Year and he graced the cover of that magazine in November 2016.

https://www.wadadaleosmith.com

SO PLEASE, if you are able, give generously to enable these talented folk to keep traveling, performing, and making us happy for as long as possible! It’s a beautiful world.