The Usual Suspects
Gio Washington-Wright's L.A. Studio Musicians Tribute Site
Photo Credit: Drummerworld
Luis Contes 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.
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.
2012 Dr. Seuss' The Lorax John Powell Latin Percussion
2012 Ice Age: Continental Drift [Original Motion Picture Score] John Powell Latin Percussion
2011 Happy Feet Two [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] John Powell Latin Percussion
2011 Rise of the Planet of the Apes Patrick Doyle Ethnic Percussion
2010 Predators [Original Soundtrack] John Debney Percussion
2009 Duplicity [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] James Newton Howard Percussion
2009 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen -- The Score Steve Jablonsky Percussion
2008 Hancock [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] John Powell Percussion
2008 Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns Percussion
2007 Grand Central Jeff Golub Main Personnel, Percussion, Tambourine
2007 Hairspray [2007 Original Soundtrack] Percussion
2007 Ocean's Thirteen David Holmes Percussion
2007 Smokin' Aces [Original Motion Picture Score] Clint Mansell Latin Percussion, Rhythm Section
2006 The Lost City [Original Soundtrack] Congas, Marimba, Percussion, Vocals
2005 Mr. & Mrs. Smith [Original Motion Picture Score] John Powell Percussion
2003 Brother Bear Percussion
2003 Daredevil [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] Percussion
2003 Gigli [Original Motion Picture Score] John Powell Percussion
2003 The Italian Job (2003) (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) John Powell Percussion
2012 Ice Age: Continental Drift [Original Motion Picture Score] John Powell Latin Percussion
2011 Happy Feet Two [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] John Powell Latin Percussion
2011 Rise of the Planet of the Apes Patrick Doyle Ethnic Percussion
2010 Predators [Original Soundtrack] John Debney Percussion
2009 Duplicity [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] James Newton Howard Percussion
2009 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen -- The Score Steve Jablonsky Percussion
2008 Hancock [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] John Powell Percussion
2008 Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns Percussion
2007 Grand Central Jeff Golub Main Personnel, Percussion, Tambourine
2007 Hairspray [2007 Original Soundtrack] Percussion
2007 Ocean's Thirteen David Holmes Percussion
2007 Smokin' Aces [Original Motion Picture Score] Clint Mansell Latin Percussion, Rhythm Section
2006 The Lost City [Original Soundtrack] Congas, Marimba, Percussion, Vocals
2005 Mr. & Mrs. Smith [Original Motion Picture Score] John Powell Percussion
2003 Brother Bear Percussion
2003 Daredevil [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] Percussion
2003 Gigli [Original Motion Picture Score] John Powell Percussion
2003 The Italian Job (2003) (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) John Powell Percussion