Luisito Quintero was born in Caracas, Venezuela where his musical influences began. Cultural vibes of Afro-Venezuelan rhythm surrounded him at home where his father was a respected percussionist in his native country that tutored and encouraged Luisito on timbales through his adolescent years. Luisito continued on his musical journey enhancing his studies at Orquesta Simfonica de Venezuela (The Symphonic Orchestra of Venezuela) where his timbale technique soon gained attention from his respective colleagues. Luisito soon after joined the popular music ensembles Grupo Guaco and El Trabuco Venezolano, and traveled extensively with Oscar D’Leon, where he enjoyed worldwide exposure. Luisito’s live playing credits, projects and recordings are endless. He has embraced his percussion style working with the late Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Richard Bona, Jack Dejonette, Willie Colon, George Benson, Natalie Cole, Herbie Hancock, Nuyorican Soul, and Masters at Work to name a few.

Luisito has been an influential part of Louie Vega’s Element of Life projects. Combining Afro-Latin rhythms with jazz and bossa nova sounds Elements of Life quickly became one of the hottest albums to hit dance floors from sea to sea. As well as being an inspirational influence Luisito is also a member of the Elements of Life band which has been touring for the past three years. The band has shared stages with some of the top artist in the business, such as Robert Plant, Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys. The EOL band has played some of the top festivals from the likes of Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Roskilde (Denmark), Blue Note (Japan), Jazz Café (London) and the legendary New Morning Café (Paris).

Luisito continues on his musical journey with a new debut album produced by Louie Vega entitled, “Percussion Maddness”. On this album Luisito recreates hits from the late great Tito Puente and Fela Kuti. “Four Beat Mambo” originally by Tito Puente is innovatively done with a guest appearance from Hilton Ruiz playing piano. This classic keeps your body moving and toes tapping with a new twist added to it. “Gbagada, Gbagada, Gbogodo, Gbogodo”, initially by Fela Kuti is reconstructed with Francis Mbappe playing guitar and lead vocals on this amazing African track. On the album there are some original cuts that will become your favorites. Luisito worked with the multitalented Blaze on “Love Remains the Same” with lyrics by Blaze.

This track will give you the feel of an old Stevie Wonder recording with the musical elements and strong harmonies that come through the vocalist passionate story in a classic Blaze style. “Tumbao” is an afro Cuban driven by Luisito on timbale drums complimented along side Nestor Torres, Anané and Josh Milan of Blaze. This album shows the artistic side of a percussionist at his finest. Musical contributors on this project are flutists Nestor Torres, Hilton Ruiz, Milton Cardona, Jose Mangual, Brian Lynch, Francis Mbappe, Selan, Aquiles Baez and John Benitez just to name a few.