Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Keith Green, Dori Caymmi, Ivan Lins, Sergio Mendes, Bud Powell, Art Blakey, Stevie Wonder, Frank Loesser, J.S. Bach, Giuseppe Verdi, James Taylor, James Brown, Twila Paris, Earth Wind & Fire, Wayne Shorter, Weather Report, Koinonia, Seawind, Bill Champlin, Kenny Rankin, Jay Graydon, Mel Torme, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Bela Bartok, Israel Houghton, Tommy Walker, Cynthia Clawson, Donny Hathaway, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Joni Mitchell, and I'll think of more later.
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To hear more music and order Bill's CDs, CLICK HERE!
Sounds Like
Frank Sinatra/Jamie Cullum/Michael Bublé/Al Jarreau
Bill Cantos on his new CD, LOVE WINS: NEW STANDARDS FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM: "I'm not trying to be presumptuous in calling these songs 'new standards' - just the opposite. It's my way of paying tribute to all the great music, classic songs, and amazing writing that's come before me." You can hear it in the music - thirteen of Bill's originals in the style of classic standards, passionate and smooth, performed by an all-star band.
In case you ever wondered what Phil Collins, Ramsey Lewis, Brenda Russell, Sergio Mendes, Jay Graydon, Kevyn Lettau, Cheryl Bentyne, Helen Baylor, Dori Caymmi, John Patitucci, Deniece Williams, The Haven Quartet, Diane Schuur, Flora Purim and Airto Moreira, Brian Bromberg, Justo Almario, Gal Costa, David Foster, Steve Amerson, Marc Antoine, Debby Boone, Donnie McClurkin, Andrae Crouch, Vikki Carr, Clint Black, and Maranatha Music might have in common, the answer is Bill - he's toured, recorded, or written songs for all the above artists, plus countless others.
Besides the new CD, he's also released MOVIE IN THE NIGHT SKY (featuring the song "New Red Coat") and a gospel/worship CD, EMBRACE THE CROSS, with his wife, Mari Falcone. He appeared in the LA world premiere of the Cy Coleman/Alan & Marilyn Bergman musical, LIKE JAZZ, and has written a musical, "The Little Room". After growing up in San Diego, CA, Cantos received a Masters in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory of Music. He currently resides in the LA area, and spends his time either making music or trying to figure out this whole internet/blog/cyberspace thing.
"Whenever I hear a song I really like,
the ultimate compliment I can give is, I wish I had written it!
This almost never happens these days; that is, until last week when I heard the new Bill Cantos album.
Not once, but about a dozen times,
Bill has come up with songs I wish I had written.
He's also a great performer.
Look out for Bill Cantos. These songs are built to last."
-Johnny Mandel
"Bill Cantos is an all-around musician:
He plays, he sings, he writes - all with wit and style. His songs are original and inventive."
-Alan & Marilyn Bergman
"Bill's music has a warm kind of cool that just makes me feel good." -Brian Stokes Mitchell
"This album is a total treat from start to finish." -Dave Koz
"I have been blessed to work with some of the most talented musicians world-wide during my 30 plus years in the music industry. None of them are more talented than Bill Cantos. He is a star burning brightly and in a moment all the world will see his brilliance!" -Deniece Williams
"I think that if my heart could sing, it would sound just like Bill Cantos; and sing it does every time Bill Cantos chooses to do so." -Larry Gelbart
"I adore him and intend to keep singing his songs forever!!!" -Cheryl Bentyne (Manhattan Transfer)
It's a honor be your friend here. I'm your fan... I really love your music I hope work with you in a future soon. Can you concede me this honor too? A hug from Brazil.
Hi Bill! I just received your CD "Love Wins". The cd is just great! Nice songs and it sounds really inspired! Great sound and great playing! Did I mention that I heard "Go way moon" on a jazz club concert in Oslo some months ago, played by a Norwegian trombone player Frode Thingnæs. All the best from Norway! Torbjørn Alfsen
Hi Bill, thanks for your message and friendship, the feeling is mutual, we like your music and voice very much, really great and so relaxed All the best Piano meets Vibes
thanks BIll!! I love you mosic and play your "movie in the night sky" all the time over n over n my car. Glad you and Mary were able to come out to Shadow Mountain and play.. God Bless, Pamela
Thanks for adding me to your friends list. I loved seeing you and Mari at Shadow Mountain and talking to you afterward. I am spreading the word about your music to anyone who will listen! I have had an awesome year of getting closer to God through your music when I felt so far from Him. God is good, and you and Mari are living proof!
Thanks for the add. Your music really impressed me. WOW!!! I agree with you 100% and now see why you said you could see me doing your tunes.
I'll be moving you to my front page of friends and paying attention to your music. It is not often that I get this strong of a feeling from an artist the first time I hear them. I love it when this happens!
OH MY! I just saw LOVE WINS as finally available on iTunes last night and bought the whole CD (can you still say CD?). WOW!!! Talk about "new standards"!!! I can SO totally see Michael Buble dancing and singing these songs! hee hee
CONGRATULATIONS on yet another FABULOUS toe tapping heart melting compliation of songs!
I am very glad to "meet" you here and your wonderful music - it lets one to dream... so that is what myspace is good for- to discover new music everywhere in the world.
Bill, Thanks for the add and thanks for the kind words! Great songs on your site!I have a few coffee tunes on my CD as well!! Hope to meet you in LA or OC! Anthony
Bill, I finally received your CD in the mail today and it is fantastic! I've spent 20 years singing standards in nightclubs and you have a refreshing twist to the craft. A more modern approach to the Jazz standard. The changes are terrific and your voice superb. Would you be opposed to me singing some of these songs in live night club appearances? (You of course would get your CD plugged each time.) Thanks for the great sounds, Patty
Hi Bill I'm really glad I took the time to listen to your music. thanks for checkin my site & listening to "To Mari My Bride." I hope some day your Mari & my Mari can meet and we can too.You came very very highly recommended to me and I can hear why. It would be fun to sing some scat with you. Who knows what things can grow out of friendships. Keep dat smile brother. Bobby Gray
I bought your CD Embrace the Cross a couple of years ago at a conference, and I continue to listen to it nonstop!! Thank you for your inspiration and for defining true worship for me.
Hello Bill Cantos (: thank you for finding time visiting my page! i love very much what i hear here!!! your voice is superb have a wonderfull day Maayan