Luisito Quintero Ensemble

Bird's Basement leads the way in giving Australian music lovers the chance to explore the vibrant rhythms and colours of Latin Jazz, with a 3-week Latin Jazz Festival, from 7-25 August. The first band to be featured will be the Luisito Quintero Ensemble.

Venezuelan Percussionist Luisito Quintero is best known as an expert timbalero; he has enhanced bands led by Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall and Tito Puente, to name just a few.

Bassist Ricky Rodriguez has played with giants in Latin Jazz: Ray Barretto, Endel Dueño, Giovanni Hidalgo as well as memorable performances with masters such as: Branford Marsalis, Danilo Pérez, David Sánchez, and Ignacio Berroa.

Drummer Pablo Bencid has been performing to large and appreciative audiences around North, Central and South America, Europe, Virgin Islands and Australia with Kamarata Jazz, La Clave Secreta, Either Orchestra, Samuel Torres, and many more.

Vibraphonist/percussionist Felipe Fournier won the Latin Grammy for Best Mariachi/Ranchero album as a producer. He was nominated before for Grammy & Latin Grammy; with Charlie Sepúlveda, Nestor Torres, Rubén Blades & Cheo Feliciano.

Percussionist Roberto Quintero’s dedication to the Afro-Caribbean heritage of Venezuela has brought him a total of 17 Grammy Awards. His discography includes collaborations with Céline Dion, Oscar D Leon, Marc Anthony, Paquito D’Rivera and Chucho Valdés - just to name a few.


This heavy supergroup of Latin Jazz is one not to miss.