Bill Cantos Bio

WHO ARE YOU.......that is the question. The LA Times says he's "the voice of versatility" and calls his album „first-rate‰. Smooth Jazz News raves about his "diverse artistry" and finds his music "irresistible". Legendary saxophonist Kirk Whalum is a "big fan". Grammy Award-winner Jay Graydon, writer and producer, hails him as a "brilliant songwriter." 

One of Southern California's best-loved live performers and an integral part of the LA studio scene, vocalist and keyboardist Bill Cantos mixes up a brew of equal parts pop and jazz, with a dash of R&B and a pinch of gospel for good measure. The result is Bill's latest album, Who Are You, an elaborate musical feast of romance, optimism and spirituality at its best. 

Co-produced by Graydon, fellow Grammy-winner Bill Schnee, and famed drummers Ricky Lawson and Michael Shapiro, this upbeat album with its classic musicianship and love-drenched lyrics features a stunning array of LA's finest and best-known musical talent. 

The leadoff single, "Daddy's Gonna Miss You", is a vocal version of the classic hit by Yellowjackets (Lawson's former band) with lyrics by Bill; it also offers a stellar appearance by the inimitable Deniece Williams. Other featured tracks include the bluesy, percolating "Settlin' Down", the riveting ballad "What Would You Do For A King", and the romantic title track (which is already on its way to becoming a standard, thanks to cover versions by the likes of Brenda Russell & Ramsey Lewis).

Growing up in San Diego, Cantos received a Masters in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory in Boston. He then launched his career working with mega-producer David Foster and building a community of musical friends in Los Angeles. He has toured with pop, jazz and gospel greats like Diane Schuur, Kirk Whalum, Marc Antoine, and Helen Baylor; tours with his band in Europe and Japan; composes music for television shows on Nickelodeon, Fox, WB, PBS, and Lifetime; and performed on soundtracks for such recent films as "Titan AE", "Space Cowboys", "Anastasia", "Beauty and the Beast 2" and "A Civil Action". 

So if you're still wondering who BILL CANTOS is, one listen to Who Are You
.....
and you'll know.

Early on in Bill Cantos career as one of Los Angeles best loved club performers, a local reviewer got swept up in the sheer emotion of the music and called the vocalist and keyboardist a "hopeless romantic. The reference wasnt simply to Cantos beautiful love songs, which range dramatically in style from jazz and Brazilian to pop and R&B. In a broader sense, the quote captured Cantos irresistible sense of optimism, an almost childlike, heartfelt faith in what is good while living in a world of cynicism. Combining all of his musical loves and inspirations, his new project Movie in the Night Sky stands as a perfect testament to the power of never giving up. In fact, it all begins with a dream...

"The title of the album comes from a dream I had as a child, where I would wake up, walk outside with a great feeling of anticipation, and literally see a personal, private screening of a movie in the night sky, says Cantos. "A few years ago, it came back to me and I got the idea for the song. In a broader sense, the song is a bridge bringing me back to all Ive dreamed about doing, musically and otherwise. Theres a thread of hope, a rediscovery of my vision as an artist which can so easily get lost in the day-to-day business of living. I wanted this album to represent everything I do creatively, and for the overall vibe to reflect what I do in my live performances.

One of the joys of being such an integral part of Los Angeles club and studio scene is having some of the greatest musicians around help make your music. Kirk Whalums unmistakeable sax is featured on the laid back moods of "The Deepest Blue and the spirited jam "Can I Help It (chronicling the throes of love). Justo Almario brings his exuberant and exotic flute charisma to a Latin jazz version of El Debarges "All This Love, and Pat Kelley adds guitar and mandolin to the wistful title track, as well as bending his strings on "You Cant Go Back, co-written by Cantos and Kevyn Lettau.

Other guests on the album include trumpeter Lee Thornburg, bassist Jerry Watts and drummers Mike Shapiro and Vinnie Colaiuta. Charles Williams simmering Hammond B-3 organ adds a powerful blues touch to both "Can I Help It and the funky chantalong "New Red Coat. "New Red Coat is one of Cantos most requested live performance numbers, a clever and exuberant story-song that draws audiences in both rhythmically and lyrically. Another longtime crowdpleaser is his percussive and soulful cover of Annie Lennoxs "Precious. Keyboardist, vocalist, composer, lyricist, arranger, producer, musical director...the multi-talented Bill Cantos career has been defined by his amazing diversity and adaptability to any professional situation. He has toured and performed live with pop and jazz greats Diane Schuur, Kirk Whalum, Dori Caymmi, Marc Antoine, Tony Guerrero, Everette Harp, Rita Coolidge, and Freddie Hubbard; composed music for dozens of television shows; had songs recorded by Brenda Russell and Ramsey Lewis; appeared on over 100 albums by artists ranging from Andrae Crouch to Brian Bromberg to Clint Black; and performed on soundtracks for such recent films as "Titan AE, "Space Cowboys and "A Civil Action. He has also been profiled in Downbeat Magazine and the LA Times. Movie in the Night Sky is his third solo album, after Who Are You (Pioneer) & The Bill Cantos Project (Brentwood).
Gospel music is also a passion for Bill. He performed for over half a million people at Promise Keepers conferences nationwide as musical director, keyboardist and vocalist of their world-class band; written songs for The Imperials, Clay Crosse, Helen Baylor and Maranatha Music; and hes a member of the gospel group Haven, writing and performing music for the Haven broadcast heard daily all over the world. Cantos also won an unprecedented two Grand Prize awards at the Estes Park Christian Artists Music Seminar, as best songwriter and best instrumentalist.

Growing up in San Diego, Cantos was inspired by his mother, an opera and musical theatre performer, and all kinds of pop and jazz music of the day--Earth, Wind and Fire, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder and Bill Evans. "There was always music in the house, he recalls, "but the turning point was listening to my sisters Sergio Mendes and Brazil Œ66 albums. I wanted to be Sergio Mendes! I got into Brazilian music early on from that, and then started playing jazz in high school.

After attending San Diego State as a music major and receiving a Masters of Music, Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory, Cantos returned to Southern California and launched his career playing with mega-producer David Foster in Canada and building a community of musical friends in Los Angeles, where he now lives with his wife, keyboardist and recording artist Mari Falcone. "I developed a career behind the scenes, but my goal has always been to do my own music and be an artist in my own right, he says. "I always try to infuse my music and solo performances with an overriding sense of hope, and feel so appreciative when someone in the audience is touched personally by a song I wrote or sang. Having an emotional impact on peoples lives for me defines the gift of music.
Bill Cantos is a Singer, songwriter arranger, and keyboardist whose music spans the worlds of jazz, pop, gospel, and R&B. Bill is singing with Phil Collins on Phil´s worldwide “First Final Farewell Tour”, which began in 2004 and will continue in the fall. He also recently appeared in the world premiere of the new Cy Coleman / Alan & Marilyn Bergman musical, LIKE JAZZ (which has now been retitled IN THE POCKET). In spring 2005, he will be touring as a keyboardist with Brazilian music legend Sergio Mendes.