Bob Quaranta
Encyclopedia
Bob Quaranta, pianist
, received his B.M. in music theory
from the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. For over ten years, he was a member of Mongo Santamaría
's band and served as musical director. Additionally, he composed songs for the band, five of which appeared on Mongo's recordings. Two recordings Bob appeared on with Mongo were nominated for Grammy Awards: Mongo Magic and Free Spirit/Espíritu Libre. Quaranta has also performed and/or recorded with: Dave Valentin
, Willie Colón
, Ray Barretto
, Tommy Igoe, Angel Canales and Jellybean Benitez.
With John Scofield
, he recorded on the Yamaha
instructional video The Drumset, A Musical Approach. Other studio sessions include TV commercials for IBM
and soundtrack work for Vestron Video
. Quaranta has also recorded a piano disk for the Yamaha Disklavier
. He appears on the Hudson Music Drummers Collective 25th Anniversary Celebration & Bass Day 2002 DVD and CD. He continues to serve as an integral member of the Ed Palermo Big Band
and currently is on the faculty of The Collective School of Music in New York City. He is also playing piano with Andrea Brachfeld
and the Phoenix Rising Latin Jazz Ensemble. On Brachfeld's recording, Into the World, A Musical Offering, Jazz Improv NY, reports "Quaranta's wealth of experience in Latin music grounds the ensemble" in the song "Q" (composed by Quaranta). Additionally, Quaranta's playing has been characterized as "magnificent" in the book, Latin Jazz: The First of The Fusions, John Storm Roberts
.
Angel Canales
Ed Palermo Big Band
Andrea Brachfeld
Various
Jellybean Benitez Just Visiting This Planet (Chrysalis)
Chris Coleman Ecclesiastes 12:13
Willie Colón Top Secrets (Fania)
Eisenhauer Bros. Orchestra Golpeando Hiero (DROPS)
Guido Freddi Taranta Steps (Guido Freddi)
Tommy Igoe New Ground (Premier)
Bob Quaranta La Bamba (Yamaha Disklavier)
Adalberto Santiago Cosas Del Alma
(WS Latino)
Patricia Tortorici New York Story ([sic] sisters)
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, received his B.M. in music theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
from the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. For over ten years, he was a member of Mongo Santamaría
Mongo Santamaría
Ramón "Mongo" Santamaría Rodríguez was an Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist. He is most famous for being the composer of the jazz standard "Afro Blue," recorded by John Coltrane among others. In 1950 he moved to New York where he played with Perez Prado, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, Fania All...
's band and served as musical director. Additionally, he composed songs for the band, five of which appeared on Mongo's recordings. Two recordings Bob appeared on with Mongo were nominated for Grammy Awards: Mongo Magic and Free Spirit/Espíritu Libre. Quaranta has also performed and/or recorded with: Dave Valentin
Dave Valentin
Dave Valentin is a jazz flutist.He learned latin percussion first when he was a teenager, and then switched to flute. Valentin's teacher, Hubert Laws, suggested that he not double on saxophone because of his attractive sound on the flute. He studied at the Bronx Community College...
, Willie Colón
Willie Colón
William Anthony Colón is a Nuyorican salsa musician. Primarily a trombonist, Colón also sings, writes, produces and acts. He is also involved in municipal politics in New York City.-Early years:...
, Ray Barretto
Ray Barretto
Ray Barretto was a Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican jazz musician.-Early years:Barretto was born in New York City of Puerto Rican descent...
, Tommy Igoe, Angel Canales and Jellybean Benitez.
With John Scofield
John Scofield
John Scofield , often referred to as "Sco," is an American jazz guitarist and composer, who has played and collaborated with Miles Davis, Dave Liebman, Joe Henderson, Charles Mingus, Joey Defrancesco, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Pat Martino, Mavis Staples, Phil Lesh, Billy Cobham,...
, he recorded on the Yamaha
Yamaha (manufacturer)
is a multinational corporation and conglomerate based in Japan with a wide range of products and services, predominantly musical instruments, electronics, motorcycles and power sports equipment.-History:...
instructional video The Drumset, A Musical Approach. Other studio sessions include TV commercials for IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
and soundtrack work for Vestron Video
Vestron Video
Vestron Video was the main subsidiary of Vestron, Inc., a home video company based in Stamford, Connecticut that was active from 1982 to 1992. It is considered to have been a pioneer in the home video market....
. Quaranta has also recorded a piano disk for the Yamaha Disklavier
Disklavier
Disklavier is the brand name for a group of piano-related products made by Yamaha Corporation. It was introduced in the United States in 1987....
. He appears on the Hudson Music Drummers Collective 25th Anniversary Celebration & Bass Day 2002 DVD and CD. He continues to serve as an integral member of the Ed Palermo Big Band
Ed Palermo Big Band
The Ed Palermo Big Band is a big band that has been active for nearly 30 years playing the compositions and arrangements of their leader and namesake Ed Palermo. They are best known for the arrangements of the music of Frank Zappa that Palermo has prepared for them...
and currently is on the faculty of The Collective School of Music in New York City. He is also playing piano with Andrea Brachfeld
Andrea Brachfeld
-Biography:Brachfeld is a graduate of The High School of Music & Art and Manhattan School of Music. Her career started in the 1970s and she has recorded with Africando, Noel Pointer, and Timbalaye...
and the Phoenix Rising Latin Jazz Ensemble. On Brachfeld's recording, Into the World, A Musical Offering, Jazz Improv NY, reports "Quaranta's wealth of experience in Latin music grounds the ensemble" in the song "Q" (composed by Quaranta). Additionally, Quaranta's playing has been characterized as "magnificent" in the book, Latin Jazz: The First of The Fusions, John Storm Roberts
John Storm Roberts
John Storm Roberts was a British-born, U.S.-based ethnomusicologist, writer and record producer. He is best known as the co-founder of Original Music, a mail-order company that distributed world music books and records....
.
Discography
Mongo Santamaría- Afro Blue: The Picante Collection (Concord)
- Free Spirit/Espíritu Libre (M.I.L. Multimedia)
- Live at Jazz Alley (Concord)
- Mucho Mongo: Soca Me Nice/Olé Ola (Concord)
- Olé Ola (Concord)
- Skin on Skin: The Mongo Santamaría Anthology (Rhino)
- Soca Me Nice (Concord)
- Soy Yo (Concord)
- Mongo Magic (Roulette)
- Instant Party (Concord)
- Mucho Mambo Mongo (Recall)
- Slap It (12" Single) (TBS)
Angel Canales
- Ya Es Tiempo (Top Ten Hits)
- Different Shades of Thought (Universal Music Latino)
Ed Palermo Big Band
- Papier Machè (Vile Heifer)
- Ping Pong (Pro Jazz)
- Plays the Music of Frank Zappa (Astor Place)
- Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance (Cuneiform)
- Eddy Loves Frank (Cuneiform)
Andrea Brachfeld
- Remembered Dreams (Latin Cool)
- Into the World: A Musical Offering (Shaneye)
Various
- Concord Picante 25th Anniversary (Concord)
- Concord Records 30th Anniversary (Concord)
- Drummers Collective 25th Anniversary and Bass Day 2002 (DVD/CD) (Hudson Music)
- Zappanale 13 (DVD/CD) (Gema)
- 2006 Detroit International Jazz Festival (Mack Avenue Records, Inc.)
- Jazz Improv Magazine Vol.8 No.2 Companion CD
- A Passion for Music: LP Holiday CD: Volume 8 (LP)
Jellybean Benitez Just Visiting This Planet (Chrysalis)
Chris Coleman Ecclesiastes 12:13
Willie Colón Top Secrets (Fania)
Eisenhauer Bros. Orchestra Golpeando Hiero (DROPS)
Guido Freddi Taranta Steps (Guido Freddi)
Tommy Igoe New Ground (Premier)
Bob Quaranta La Bamba (Yamaha Disklavier)
Adalberto Santiago Cosas Del Alma
Cosas Del Alma
Cosas del Alma is a Compact Disc studio album recorded in 1984, and re-issued in 2002.-Review:For decades, Adalberto Santiago has been an icon of salsa music. One of the most versatile and lush puerto rican singers, Santiago plays now romantic Boleros arranged by a group of renowned musicians as...
(WS Latino)
Patricia Tortorici New York Story ([sic] sisters)
Charts
| Year | Artist | Album Title | Chart | Chart Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Jellybean Benitez | Just Visiting This Planet | The Billboard 200 | 101 |
| 1989 | Willie Colón Willie Colón William Anthony Colón is a Nuyorican salsa musician. Primarily a trombonist, Colón also sings, writes, produces and acts. He is also involved in municipal politics in New York City.-Early years:... |
Altos Secretos (Top Secrets) | Tropical/Salsa | 3 |
Grammy Nominations
| Year | Artist | Album Title | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Mongo Santamaría Mongo Santamaría Ramón "Mongo" Santamaría Rodríguez was an Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist. He is most famous for being the composer of the jazz standard "Afro Blue," recorded by John Coltrane among others. In 1950 he moved to New York where he played with Perez Prado, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, Fania All... |
Mongo Magic | Best Tropical Latin Performance |
| 1986 | Mongo Santamaría Mongo Santamaría Ramón "Mongo" Santamaría Rodríguez was an Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist. He is most famous for being the composer of the jazz standard "Afro Blue," recorded by John Coltrane among others. In 1950 he moved to New York where he played with Perez Prado, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, Fania All... |
Free Spirit/Espiritu Libre | Best Tropical Latin Performance |
| 1990 | Willie Colón Willie Colón William Anthony Colón is a Nuyorican salsa musician. Primarily a trombonist, Colón also sings, writes, produces and acts. He is also involved in municipal politics in New York City.-Early years:... |
Altos Secretos /Top Secrets | Best Tropical Latin Performance |
RIAA Certification
| Year | Artist | Album Title | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Jellybean Benitez | Just Visiting This Planet | Gold |
| 1989 | Willie Colón Willie Colón William Anthony Colón is a Nuyorican salsa musician. Primarily a trombonist, Colón also sings, writes, produces and acts. He is also involved in municipal politics in New York City.-Early years:... |
Altos Secretos /Top Secrets | Gold |
External links
- Ed Palermo Big Band
- The Collective School of Music
- [ All Music: Bob Quaranta Credits]
- Album Credits.com
- Mongo Magic
- KoSA