Robert Conti

Renowned for his fluid, lightning-fast technique, jazz guitarist Robert Conti was born November 21, 1945 in Philadelphia; upon discovering jazz at age 12, he began teaching himself music, and within two years was performing live in a series of local show groups. After high school, Conti toured the U.S. and Canada before settling in Jacksonville, FL in 1966; four years later he turned his focus from music to finance, going to work as a successful securities account executive and later developing a highly profitable financial marketing strategy. Still, the allure of performing was strong, so in 1976 Conti returned to music, five years later releasing his debut LP Bob Conti and the Hollywood Jazz Quintet on the L.A.-based Discovery label; The Living Legends, a collaboration with fellow guitar great Joe Pass, soon followed. In 1982, Conti again returned to the business world, but by the middle of the decade he was back to music, a move highlighted by the release of 1985's You Are the Sunshine of My Life as well as a headlining gig at the 1986 Florida National Jazz Festival backed by the legendary Jimmy McGriff. Two years later he accepted an executive position with film producer Dino De Laurentiis, relocating to Irvine, CA; there he began performing nightly at the Irvine Marriott hotel, a long-term residency which continued throughout the Nineties. Comin' On Strong followed in 1990.