| Bob Conti | |
| Birth Name: | Robert James Conti |
| Birth Date: | December 27, 1947 |
| Birth Place: | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Genre: | Jazz, pop, R&B, New Age |
| Years Active: | 1967–present |
| Instrument: | Percussion |
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.
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.
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]
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.
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]
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]
| Award | Album | Artist | Credits | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | The Sound of Vienna | Percussion | 1988 | ||
| Gold | Escenas de Amor | José Feliciano | Writer, percussion | 1982 | |
| Double Platinum | Bad Girls | Composer, percussion | 1979 | ||
| Platinum[14] | Live and More | Composer, percussion | 1978 | ||
| Platinum | Once Upon a Time | Percussion | 1977 |
| Album | Artist | Credits | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donna: The CD Collection[15] | Percussionist | 2014 | ||
| Groovin | Martini Kings (Tony Marsico) | Bongos, percussionist | 2014 | |
| Moments Magical[16] | Marty Krystall | Percussionist | 2014 | |
| Closer | 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] | Percussionist | 2010 | ||
| New Morning: The Paris Concert[18] | José Feliciano | Percussionist, group member | 2009 | |
| Resurrection | 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 | 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 | Percussionist | 2004 | ||
| The Collected Works of 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] | 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 | Percussionist | 1996 | ||
| Behind The Memories | Percussionist | 1995 | ||
| An Evening with Sitting Bull[22] | Bob Conti | Primary artist, producer, percussionist, concept, composer | 1995 | |
| Disco Mixes | Percussionist | 1995 | ||
| The Donna Summer Anthology | Donna Summer | Percussionist | 1993 | |
| 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] | Percussion | 1981 | ||
| Nurds | Percussion | 1980 | ||
| Won't Let Go[28] | Percussion, writer | 1980 | ||
| Won't Let Go[29] | Percussion, writer | 1980 | ||
| Jeff Kutash and the Dancin' Machine | Jeff Kutash and the Dancin' Machine | Percussion | 1980 | |
| Room with a View | Percussionist | 1980 | ||
| Donna Summer | Composer, percussionist | 1979 | ||
| Night Miracles | Kenny Nolan | Percussion | 1979 | |
| Feel the Fire | Claudja Barry | Percussion | 1979 | |
| Joy Ride | Brooklyn Dreams | Percussion | 1979 | |
| 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 |
| 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 |