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.

Bob Conti
Background information
Birth nameRobert James Conti
BornDecember 27, 1947
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
GenresJazz, pop, R&B, New Age
InstrumentPercussion
Years active1967–present
Websitewww.bobconti.com

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

edit

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

edit

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

Donna Summer years & Jose Feliciano

edit

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

Present day

edit

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

edit
Award Album Artist Credits Year
Gold The Sound of Vienna José Feliciano Percussion 1988
Gold Escenas de Amor José Feliciano Writer, percussion 1982
Double Platinum Bad Girls Donna Summer Composer, percussion 1979
Platinum[14] Live and More Donna Summer Composer, percussion 1978
Platinum Once Upon a Time Donna Summer Percussion 1977

Discography

edit
Album Artist Credits Year
Donna: The CD Collection[15] Donna Summer Percussionist 2014
Groovin' Martini Kings (Tony Marsico) Bongos, percussionist 2014
Moments Magical[16] Marty Krystall Percussionist 2014
Closer José Feliciano Writer, composer, percussionist 2011
The Genius of José Feliciano Vol. 1 José Feliciano Producer, percussionist, background vocalist 2011
The Genius of José Feliciano Vol. 2 José Feliciano Producer, percussionist, background vocals 2011
From the Heart José Feliciano Producer, percussionist, background vocals 2011
Life and the Romantic[17] Bruce Sudano Percussionist 2010
New Morning: The Paris Concert[18] José Feliciano Percussionist, group member 2009
Resurrection Swamp Dogg Main personnel, Congas, bongos, percussionist 2007
The Taste of You (Sabor A Mi) Wayne Boyer Congas, bongos, percussionist 2007
A Mellow Jazz Christmas Bob Conti Percussionist, primary artist 2006
Bob Conti's Big Band Christmas Bob Conti Primary artist, percussionist 2006
Pure Liz Story Liz Story Percussionist 2006
Tropical Journeys Bob Conti Primary artist, producer, percussionist 2006
Little Drummer Boy Bob Conti Primary artist, percussionist 2006
Gold Donna Summer Percussionist 2005
Marcia Greatest Hits Marcia Hines Percussionist 2004
The Collected Works of the Roches The Roches Percussionist 2003
Jazzy Christmas (Vertical Jazz) Bob Conti Percussionist, primary artist 2001
Romance & Passion[19] Benise Congas, bongos, additional percussion 2001
Revolution Little Sista Percussionist 2001
Jazz Relaxante[20] Bob Conti, Federico Ramos Primary artist, percussionist 2000
Heart & Soul: Romantic Dedications[21] Bob Conti, Federico Ramos, Ramón Stagnaro, Adam Del Monte Producer, percussionist, hand drums, composer 1999
Sounds of Wood and Steel, Vol. 2 Richie Sambora and Various Artists Congas, djembe 1999
The Art of Storytelling Slick Rick Composer 1999
Santa Fe Spice Bob Conti Producer, performer, composer, primary artist, percussionist 1998
Visions and Rhythms Bob Conti Performer, composer, primary artist, percussionist 1997
Americano José Feliciano Castanets 1996
Music, Harmony and Rhythm: The Casablanca Years Brooklyn Dreams (group) Percussionist 1996
Behind The Memories Rita Coolidge Percussionist 1995
An Evening with Sitting Bull[22] Bob Conti Primary artist, producer, percussionist, concept, composer 1995
Disco Mixes Claudja Barry Percussionist 1995
The Donna Summer Anthology Donna Summer Percussionist 1993
Mistaken Identity (Donna Summer album) Donna Summer Percussionist 1991
Steppin' Out[23][24] José Feliciano Shaker, triangle, whistle, percussionist 1990
Joe Bruce & 2nd Avenue Joe Bruce & 2nd Avenue Percussion 1987
Unaccountable Effect Liz Story Percussion 1985
Como Tú Quieres[25] José Feliciano Composer, percussion 1985
Made in America[26][27] The Carpenters Percussion 1981
Nurds The Roches Percussion 1980
Won't Let Go[28] Brooklyn Dreams (group) Percussion, writer 1980
Won't Let Go[29] Brooklyn Dreams (group) Percussion, writer 1980
Jeff Kutash and the Dancin' Machine Jeff Kutash and the Dancin' Machine Percussion 1980
Room with a View Player Percussionist 1980
Bad Girls (Donna Summer album) Donna Summer Composer, percussionist 1979
Night Miracles Kenny Nolan Percussion 1979
Feel the Fire Claudja Barry Percussion 1979
Joy Ride Brooklyn Dreams Percussion 1979
Live and More Donna Summer Composer, percussion 1978
Midnight Rhythm Midnight Rhythm Percussion 1978
Getting' The Spirit Roberta Kelly Percussion 1978
M.A.3 M.A.3 Percussion 1978
Once Upon a Time... Donna Summer Percussion 1977
Nature's Secret Michael Cassidy Percussion 1977
A Change of Heart Golden Avatar Percussion 1976
Direct Disco[30] Gino Dentie and the Family Percussion 1976
Join Me and Let's Be Free Wilson Pickett Percussion 1975

Soundtracks and theme songs

edit
Movie/series Composer Song Year
3:15 - The Moment of Truth Bob Conti, Joe "Bean" Esposito "Out of Control" 1986[31]
Road Stories Bob Conti Theme song 1992

Endorsements

edit
  • Roland Electronics/Roland V-Drums[32]
  • Toca Percussion[33]
  • Latin Percussion Instruments[34]
  • Nike Footwear
  • Peavey Electronics
  • Machudo Cajons

References

edit
  1. ^ https://bobconti.com/about-bob-conti/
  2. ^ Mark, David St. "Daeida Magazine: Hollywood's People, Passions and Its Past". daeida.com.
  3. ^ "SingularCity Member Bob Conti". March 17, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  4. ^ "Billboard". January 16, 1971. Retrieved March 23, 2017 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "XERB Radio 1090 - Wolfman Jack - Southern California Giant - Los Angeles". Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  6. ^ "XERB Radio 1090 - Wolfman Jack - Southern California Giant - Los Angeles". Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  7. ^ "Yusuf Rahman - Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  8. ^ "Letra de Can't Get To Sleep At Night - Donna Summer - Lyrics". 1979. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  9. ^ Updike, John (2010). Rabbit Is Rich. Random House Publishing Group. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-307-74409-8.
  10. ^ "TuneCore is the best way to sell your music on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify & more". TuneCore. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  11. ^ José Feliciano – The Genius Of JF - Vol. 2 Discogs
  12. ^ ""From the Heart" Edition / SOLD OUT". Genius of Jose Feliciano. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  13. ^ "Cultural Affairs Commission. Appointments" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-24. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  14. ^ Hoffmann, Frank (May 23, 2016). Chronology of American Popular Music, 1900-2000. Routledge. ISBN 9781135868864. Retrieved March 23, 2017 – via Google Books.
  15. ^ "Donna The CD Collection by Donna Summer @ARTISTdirect". Artistdirect.com. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  16. ^ "k2b2 Records". k2b2.com.
  17. ^ "Life and the Romantic by Bruce Sudano @ARTISTdirect".
  18. ^ "New Morning the Paris Concert by José Feliciano @ARTISTdirect". Archived from the original on 2017-03-28. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  19. ^ "Benise - Romance & Passion [Europa]". Discogs. 2001.
  20. ^ "Jazz Relaxante - Bob Conti - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  21. ^ "Heart & Soul: Romantic Dedications - Adam del Monte - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  22. ^ "An Evening with Sitting Bull by Bob Conti @ARTISTdirect". Artistdirect.com. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  23. ^ "Steppin Out by José Feliciano @ARTISTdirect". Artistdirect.com. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  24. ^ "Bob Conti @ARTISTdirect". ARTISTdirect.
  25. ^ "CD Album: José Feliciano - Como Tú Quieres (1984)". Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  26. ^ "Made In America". The Carpenters Complete Recording Resource. March 29, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  27. ^ "Made in America - Carpenters - Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  28. ^ "Brooklyn Dreams - Won't Let Go". labibledelawestcoast. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  29. ^ "Brooklyn Dreams - Won't Let Go". Discogs. 1980. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  30. ^ "Gino Dentie And The Family - Direct Disco". highfidelityla.com.
  31. ^ "Out of Control". Retrieved March 23, 2017 – via IMDb.
  32. ^ "Bob Conti". Facebook. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  33. ^ "Drummerszone news - Toca Percussion adds Bob Conti to artist roster". Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  34. ^ "Artist Roster". Retrieved March 23, 2017.
edit