Luis Ernesto Quintero Vegas, known as Luisito Quintero, was born in the populous Caracas, Venezuela neighborhood of San Agustin on August 24, 1967. Quintero, a child music prodigy, hails from a lineage of distinguished musicians and singers.

His father, Luis Quintero Sr., a respected percussionist in his native country, tutored and encouraged his son to play timbales at a young age. Quintero’s first steps into the professional music arena were performing in the group “The New Generation” playing the bongos and timbales at only eight years old. This group was inspired by his father and his uncles, Carlos “Nene”, Ricardo and Jesus “Chu” Quintero. At the age of twelve, he played with one of the most popular bands at that time, “El Trabuco Venezolano”. A year later he joined world-renowned Salsa singer, Oscar D’León. He remained with D’León for more than a decade until his departure to New York City in 1992.

Quintero quickly integrated into the New York City Latin music and Jazz scene. His reputation as one of the best percussionists garnered him opportunities to perform and record with legendary artists as well as serving as the musical director for some acts.

This Master Percussionist is not afraid to push the boundaries of his musical expressions and style, incorporating a variety of percussion instruments: timbales, congas, bongos, drum sets, the West African djembe, and dundun, and a wide variety of other percussion instruments. Quintero brings technical wizardry and musicality to every performance and recording.

He has participated in over 700 musical productions spanning a variety of music genres and between Grammys and Latin Grammys, Quintero has over 60 Grammy Awards to his credit. His most recent Grammys were in 2019 with Chick Corea & The Spanish Heart Band for the Best Latin Jazz Album and in 2018 with Spanish Harlem Orchestra for the Best Tropical Latin Album.

In August 2020 Quintero released the second production of his Grammy- nominated band (co-founded with his cousin percussionist Roberto Quintero), Quintero’s Salsa Project, “Tributo A La Dimensión Latina“.

ARTISTS (Performances/Recordings/Collaborations)

Bob James, Bryan Blade, Chick Correa, Count Basie Orchestra, David Holland, David Samuels, David Sanborn, Diana Krall, Gary Burton, George Benson, Jack DeJohnette, Joey Alexander, Jeff “Tain“ Watt, Joe Sample, Keiko Matsui, Leonel Loueke, Lewis Nash, Louie Vega, Manhattan Transfer, Natalie Cole, Phillip Bailey, Richard Bona, Rolling Stones, Santana, Steve Gadd, Vanessa Williams, Vinnie Colaiuta, Arturo Sandoval, Ayme Nuviola, Cachao, Carlos Vives, Celia Cruz, Danilo Perez, David Valentin, Don Omar, Eddie Palmieri, Franco De Vita, Gente De Zona, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Giovanni Hidalgo, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Grupo Aventura, Grupo Niche, Issac Delgado, Ivy Queen, Jerry Rivera, La India, Luis Enrique, Marc Anthony, Prince Royce, Romeo Santos, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Victor Manuelle, Willie Colon…

And many more…

THE BACKSTORY

BORN IN:
CARACAS, VENEZUELA

LIVES IN:
NEW JERSEY, USA

DRUMMING SINCE:
1970

CURRENT PROJECT(S):
Chick Corea; Spanish Harlem Orchestra

THE INSIDE SCOOP

BIGGEST INFLUENCE(S):
Tito Puente, Jack DeJohnette and the many musicians in my family, the Quinteros

FAVORITE ALBUM YOU PLAYED ON:
Luisito Quintero-3rd Element; Diana Krall-Live In Paris; Tito Puente & Count Basie Orchestra-Jazzin';  Dave Sanborn- On Time 

FAVORITE ALBUM YOU DIDN'T PLAY ON:
Pat Metheny-all of his.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT:
Working with Chick Corea, Tito Puente, Gato Barbieri and Jack DeJohnette

THE GON BOPS SKINNY

FAVORITE GON BOPS INSTRUMENT:
Luisito Quintero Signature Timbales; Mariano Series Congas & Bongos; Roberto Quintero Series Congas & Bongos