Anita Quinto's Profile
Venezuelan percussionist, composer and arranger Ana Norgaard also known as Anita Quinto, began classical piano studies at the age of six. She continued her classical training at the Landaeta National Conservatory in Caracas. In 1996, under the guidance of Faride Mijares, she undertook formal studies of Afro-Cuban percussion. Two years later, Anita won a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance in 2002. While at Berklee, she was the first recipient of the Tito Puente Percussion Achievement Award in April, 1999.
Anita Quinto has performed with internationally recognized artists Eddie Palmieri, Kenwood Dennard, Eguie Castrillo, Giovanni Hidalgo, John Benitez, Pedro "Pedrito" Martinez, Oscar Stagnaro, Brass Roots, Wildest Dreams and Lourdes Pita. Other career highlights thus far have included live appearances on National Public Radio and Public Television, and touring that has taken her to New York City, Las Vegas, Miami, Caracas, Bogota and Copenhagen.
As a band leader, Anita founded Flava Orchestra in 2001, making appearances at prestigious venues such as the Telerico Jazz and Blues Festival in 2002, the Cambridge River Festival in 2003, and as the featured act at the Vermont Jazz Center in 2004. Her latest band project is Obbini Tumbao. Formed in 2005 in collaboration with pianist Rebecca Cline, their septet makes regular appearances at Boston's Blue Note venue, The Regattabar, and was recently awarded a foundation grant to record their first CD in May, 2006.
Anita Quinto’s versatility has allowed her to work extensively in the genres of jazz, rock, salsa, afro-pop, funk, latin jazz and world music. Her diversity and skill can be heard on: Casa de los Babies motion picture soundtrack, directed by John Sayles, featuring Academy Award winner Rita Moreno; The Gift of the Game, a featured PBS Documentary produced by Bill Heney and John McNeil, with a soundtrack by Claudio Ragazzi; Out the Box jazz and funk CD by pianist/composer Bill Gordon; Purple Cha Cha Heels Latin jazz CD by Accurate Records recording artists Brass Roots; In Control rock CD by Eagle Peake Records recording artist Lourdes Pita. Following are a few quotes about these recordings:
"... a joyful celebration of the musical spirits…a top percussionist…Ana Norgaard's pumping rhythms (are) a good shot of adrenaline for the Latin jazz genre indeed." ~ Glenn Astarita, All Music Guide review of Purple Cha Cha Heels, Accurate Records, 2003.
"She respects and knows the tradition, but she's also an innovator, writing her own music…" ~ review of Flava Orchestra by Cornell Coley, Director of the Latin Jazz Project in Boston.
"...sweet and dark, with killer grooves..." ~ mp3tunes.com Jazz Review of Purple Cha Cha Heels, Accurate Records, 2003.
“…Ana fell into each groove confidently and caressingly…inspired by and in turn herself inspiring the stellar musicians in the room with her.†~ Grammy Award-winning jazz producer Jeff Weber about the Out The Box recording sessions.
Download Anita Quinto's Music at http://www.anitaquinto.com
