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Renowned for his fluid, lightning-fast technique, jazz guitarist
Robert Conti was born November 21, 1945 in Philadelphia; upon
discovering jazz at age 12, he began teaching himself music, and within
two years was performing live in a series of local show groups. After
high school, Conti toured the U.S. and Canada before settling in
Jacksonville, FL in 1966; four years later he turned his focus from
music to finance, going to work as a successful securities account
executive and later developing a highly profitable financial marketing
strategy. Still, the allure of performing was strong, so in 1976 Conti
returned to music, five years later releasing his debut LP Bob Conti and
the Hollywood Jazz Quintet on the L.A.-based Discovery label; The Living
Legends, a collaboration with fellow guitar great Joe Pass, soon
followed. In 1982, Conti again returned to the business world, but by
the middle of the decade he was back to music, a move highlighted by the
release of 1985's You Are the Sunshine of My Life as well as a
headlining gig at the 1986 Florida National Jazz Festival backed by the
legendary Jimmy McGriff. Two years later he accepted an executive
position with film producer Dino De Laurentiis, relocating to Irvine,
CA; there he began performing nightly at the Irvine Marriott hotel, a
long-term residency which continued throughout the Nineties. Comin' On
Strong followed in 1990. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide |
