Bruce Conte

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Bruce Conte
Born(1950-03-03)March 3, 1950[1]
Sanger, California, U.S.
DiedAugust 8, 2021(2021-08-08) (aged 71)
Cebu, Philippines
GenresRhythm and blues
jazz fusion
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Guitar
Years active1967–2021
Websitewww.bruceconte.com

Bruce Anthony Conte (March 3, 1950 – August 8, 2021) was an American

R&B and jazz fusion guitarist, known primarily for his work with the band Tower of Power
, of which he was a member from 1972 to 1979. He performed on seven albums, and rejoined the band for live work briefly in 2006-2007.

Biography

Bruce Conte was born in

club scene in 1967–69.[2]

In 1969 Conte moved to the San Francisco

Stephen Kupka—the primary songwriters for the group—and began co-writing songs with them and occasionally sitting in with the band.[3]

In 1972, Tower of Power began recording their eponymously titled third album, but at the beginning of the sessions, Castillo decided to change a number of band members and Conte and fellow Loading Zone member Lenny Pickett were invited to join, along with lead vocalist Lenny Williams.[4]

Conte remained with Tower Of Power until 1979, performing on the albums

Live And In Living Color
. Conte also contributed backing vocals, as well as a number of songs to these albums both as sole and co-writer.

In an interview with

pentatonic and Dorian mode scales.[6]

After leaving Tower of Power in 1979, Conte played in a number of groups in the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas, as well as with Al McKay in his All-Stars, and released four solo albums. One of these is Bullet Proof on Severn Records (2002).

In 2006 Conte rejoined Tower of Power, touring with the band for 14 months, before moving to Cebu in the Philippines.

Back in Los Angeles in 2012, Conte, an insulin-dependent

diabetic, announced that a routine blood test in July of that year had revealed that he had leukemia.[7] An appeal to raise funds for his medical treatment was established via the Jeremy Wilson Foundation.[8]

Equipment

Conte's guitar throughout nearly his entire period with Tower of Power was a 1957

Gibson Les Paul Goldtop. Conte performed primarily using the neck pick-up and played the guitar so much that he wore through the pickup cover. Conte sold the guitar in 2006.[5]

During the Tower of Power years, Conte played through a 1967

Fender Super Reverb in the studio, using a Fender Quad Reverb or sometimes Twin Reverb for live work. He also used Vox wah wah and MXR Phase 90 effects pedals. More recently Conte has played a Baker guitar through a Rivera
amplifier.

Death

Conte died on August 8, 2021, after being diagnosed with leukemia.[9]

References

  1. ^ California Birth Index, Fresno, California
  2. ^ Hale, David (October 28, 1977). "Tower of Power". The Fresno Bee.
  3. ^ "Bruce Conte Biography". bruceconte.com. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  4. ISSN 0164-9957. Archived from the original
    on March 15, 2011.
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-0-634-04861-6
    .
  6. ^ Conte, Bruce (January 27, 2009). Bruce Conte's Rhythm & Blues Techniques, An Instructional DVD (DVD).
  7. ^ "A Benefit for Bruce Conte". Tower of Power. March 6, 2015. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  8. ^ "Bruce Conte Grant Fund". Jeremy Wilson Foundation. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  9. ^ "Local Guitar Legend Bruce Conte Passes Away". KMJ-NOW. KMJ-AF1. August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bruce_Conte&oldid=1207150282"