Bruce Conte
| Bruce Conte | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sanger, California US |
| Genres | Rhythm & blues |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Associated acts | Tower of Power |
| Website | bruceconte.com |
| Notable instruments | |
| Gibson Les Paul | |
Bruce Conte is an American R&B / jazz fusion guitarist, known primarily for his work with the band Tower of Power of which he was a member from 1972 to 1979, performing on seven albums and rejoining the band for live work briefly in 2006-2007.
Bruce Conte was born in Sanger, and grew up in Fresno, California USA. Conte and his cousin Victor Conte began playing in a 'family' rhythm and blues band as junior high school students in the early 1960s. Throughout high school they performed in the rhythm sections of several local bands, including Common Ground, playing the local club scene in 1967–69.
In 1969 Conte moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and joined The Loading Zone, who shared rehearsal halls with, and regularly opened shows for, Tower of Power. Conte became close to Tower of Power's founder and leader, Emilio Castillo, and to Stephen Kupka—the primary song-writers for the group—and began co-writing songs with them and occasionally sitting in with the band.
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 band members and Conte and fellow Loading Zone member Lenny Pickett were invited to join, along with lead vocalist Lenny Williams.
Conte remained with Tower Of Power until 1979, performing on the albums Tower of Power, Back To Oakland, Urban Renewal, In The Slot, Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now, We Came To Play, and the live album 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 Robb Lawrence, Conte cited as his primary influences Albert King, Grant Green, George Benson and Jimmy Nolen (primarily his work with James Brown). Conte's lead playing is mostly in an expanded blues style often using blues, pentatonic and Dorian mode scales.
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