"The Power of Eight", by Jim LaDiana

Robert Conti at Rocco

Bel Air, California

Imagine if you will, a musical equivalent of the climactic scene from a Clint
Eastwood motion picture. However,when the shootout is over and the smoke begins to
clear, there is a lone guitar player holding the neck of an awesome looking eight
string guitar. This, while other notorious guitar slingers linger in the shadows.
So it was the scenario at the performance of super jazz guitarist Robert Conti at
Rocco's, a fine jazz supper club high in the hills of Bel Air on the night of June
12th.

Having attended the winter NAMM Show in Los Angeles for nearly twenty five years I
am used to much of the same; walls of infinite musical sounds and crowds. However,
I strive to find something new, something unique. This year I did both. This year
I discovered Robert Conti.

Negotiating the crowded convention hall on Saturday morning my ears led me to the
EMG exhibit where I found a guitarist brandishing a custom eight string guitar of
his own design. I was literally stopped in my footsteps by what I saw and heard,
and I became totally mesmerized by his tenacious virtuosity and musical
sensibility. My agenda included every Conti performance that weekend. Those who
were also fortunate to observe this guitar phenomenon displayed faces of shock,
disbelief, and panic. The air was filled with a constant flow of their audible
approval and sheer excitement with echoing comments such as, "Ungodly chops", "
He's terrifying", "Who is this guy?", and some colorful metaphor unprintable
comments as well. I remember thinking, "This guy changes everything!"

Since that experience I have listened to many of his CD's and surveyed his
comprehensive website that chronicles four decades of his life. At this point in
time, Conti has achieved every jazz musicians dream, i.e. he works six and
sometimes seven nights - every week! As if that were not enough, this writer is
privy to the fact that after playing his early evening jazz gigs, Conti 'hooks up'
with a cookin' southern California blues band called "The Blues Authority." In
that band, Conti is known only as "The Enforcer!" - a name given to him by fellow
guitarist Dan Carlin who says: "Just come and watch the crowd drop everything and
come unglued when he plugs that eight string axe into a souped-up Hot Rod Blues
Deville amp! To be sure, the man not only does it all - he does it all with class
and ruthless precision.

Considering the time span of Conti's musical career, his unbelievable command of
the eight string guitar, and the buzz that has been going on for so many years,
one has to address the question; "How does a talent of this magnitude remain
unnoticed for this long?" The answer lies partly in a reading of his biography,
which details a series of unusual career twists, including accomplishments on a
corporate platform. In addition, not long after relocating to LA in 1988, he began
a cushy two week hotel gig in 1989 that lasted nearly ten years. While it was a
great gig, Conti nearly removed himself from the music business.

John Pisano received high accolades for bringing this major talent to the very
forefront of serious jazz guitar on the west coast. In a sense, Robert Conti has
finally materialized. During the set Conti took a moment to appropriately describe
Pisano as "a national treasure!" Along with Kendall Kay on drums and Conti's long
time pal Dave Carpenter on bass, the legendary guitarist John Pisano provided
stellar rhythmic work and harmonic support for Conti's continuously mind bending
solo work.

This outstanding quartet treated the audience to a musical extravaganza they will
never forget. Even before the downbeat of the first set, one could hear and feel
the vibes circulating in the room in anticipation of what was about to take place.
The crowd was immediately drawn to Conti and his guitar, an elegant, yet ominous
looking custom made eight string. ( the seventh and eighth strings are Low B and
Low F# respectively) Kicking off with "All Blues", Conti spontaneously ignited as
his solo blasted off the launch pad to resounding applause. A soulful rendition of
"Misty" followed featuring Conti's effortless close-voiced chords peppered with
blues lines and octaves, all of which could be described as 'flying soul'. An
anxious voice in the crowd called out, "Someone call the fire department!"
Pisano's solos, always fluid and wonderful, provided a perfect contrast.

"Green Dolphin Street" found Conti setting the groove with a pulsating bass motif.
His sweet chordal melody gliding along the fretboard over eight strings is a
wonder to behold - a connoisseur's banquet of ear and eye candy. The bass and
drums refrained temporarily, allowing Conti to play bass lines and luxurious
chords to support Pisano's solo work. Dave Carpenter is unquestionably one of the
most in-demand bassists on the LA scene. His time is as solid as the rock of
Gibraltar, and his solos have a smooth lyrical feel that always remain true to the
melody. Throughout the evening Conti recognized his fellow players with audible
acknowledgments. He ended his Dolphin Street solo with a thunderous figure from
the lowest bass notes, then roaring up the entire length of the neck nearly five
octaves at warp speed, actually bringing the audience out of their chairs and
along for the ride.

For those purists who might be quick to vocally criticize, "all chops - no
sensitivity", I want to be very clear that it is what he does with those fleeting
chops that is so unbelievable. He retains absolute authority as he shifts gears
effortlessly from extremely complex yet melodic blow-the-roof-off single note
lines to delicate, heartfelt chord melody solo work that simply sustains into
memory. The harmonic range of Conti's eight string chord voicings are mammoth.

His sound gives one the feeling of being gently wrapped in warm tonal blanket.
Every member of the audience appeared spellbound by his exquisite and unique solo
renditions of "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life", and beautiful variation
on the melody of "The Shadow Of Your Smile." I heard someone a few seats away
comment jokingly that a guy from Palm Springs called Rocco's to say he heard and
felt the bottom end of Conti's pumping bass lines during his solo rendition of
"Mr. Lucky".

During the performance Pisano commented, "What is it with these guys from
Philadelphia? Just great players with great chops!" Amen brother. He went on to
mention Jimmy Bruno, Billy Bean, and Conti's childhood pal Pat Martino. Conti was
quick to acknowledge Joe Sgro, his teacher during a brief period of his youth and
another of Conti's favorite Philly guitarists, Tony Purrone.

The set continued with "Samba De Orpheu". The warm interpretation of the classic
Luis Bonfa tune made one feel like being on a Caribbean island and feeling the
burn of Conti's sizzling hot solo instead of a tropical sun. Kay was given the
floor and played a tasty solo and created a myriad of ethnic percussive rhythms.
As Conti left the stage after the set, the audience swarmed him like bee's to
honey. The man was genuinely enthusiastic about meeting everyone who timidly
approached him - definitely no attitude problem here.

At the opening of the second set, the eight string powerhouse was found alone
playing renditions of "The More I See You", "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your
Life", and others. Huge chord voicings fueled by a swinging feel is the name of
the game. This is where Conti lives. His eight string harmonic interpretations of
these classic melodies can raise you to heavenly heights or place you into the
darkest abyss. Either location will suffice as he expertly guides his solo caravan
of music.

Returning to the stage, the quartet played a fleeting version of "I Remember
April" that had the already enthusiastic listeners again at the edge of their
seats. As expected, Conti was peeling paint off the walls, Kay was pushing the
envelope, Carpenter was burning, and Pisano was melting wax. The two guitarists
then began a friendly exchange of fours. This writer can only describe those
events as intense musical flames being ignited between the senior guitarists. At
that very moment you'd think his flawless abilities had peaked, Conti propelled
into hyper speed, while clearly articulating every nuance of every note - an
amazing feat to witness. Repeatedly, more heads shook in disbelief. The group
returned to earth with Conti's own soulful version of "What A Wonderful World".
The audience was than transported to the islands via Pisano's intro groove for
"One Note Samba" and once again the solos were beyond belief. Unpredictably, Conti
somehow seamlessly segued the song into a wonderful take on "Angel Eyes". The set
ended with "Secret Love". During the opening chorus, Conti laid down a cooking
bass/chord accompaniment with Pisano stating the melody. When the bass and drums
fell in, it was absolutely swinging - pure joy. The audience responded with such
enthusiasm, it was as if they couldn't wait to express their thanks for this very
special and memorable night of music.

Conti's performance at Rocco's was a momentous event, as it marks the turning

point for a fresh new voice, and a new dimension in the art of jazz guitar. This
monumentally talented guitarist will continue to leave his unmistakable imprint on
everyone who will allow themselves to accept and appreciate the man and his music.

Now that the smoke has cleared, it is plain to see that there's a new sheriff in
town, his name is Conti, and as the title of one of CD's affirms, he's Comin' On
Strong! ....Very Strong.