Venezuelan born Luisito Quintero is perhaps best known for his incredible Timbale technique. He has played with some of the greatest artists of all time, including Jack Dejohnette, Tito Puente, Fela Kuti, Oscar D’Leon and Alicia Keys to name but a few! South American by birth and culturally Caribbean, Quintero is well-versed in Afro-Cuban rhythms and is adept at applying them in a diasporic context.

Q & A

BORN IN: Caracas, Venezuela

LIVES IN: New Jersey

DRUMMING SINCE: 1970

CURRENT PROJECT(S): Percussion Maddness, Gato Barbieri, Jack Dejohnette, Spanish Harlem, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dave Samuels

BIGGEST INFLUENCES: Tito Puente, Jack DeJohnette and the many musicians in my family, the Quinteros

FAVORITE ALBUM YOU PLAYED ON: Live In Paris (Diana Krall), Jazzin’ (Tito Puente & Count Basie Orchestra) and On Time (Dave Sanborn)

FAVORITE ALBUM YOU DIDN’T PLAY ON: Pat Metheny

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