Noel Quintana

PITTSBURGH, PA

Noël Quintana, also known as “Mr. Conga” and band leader of The Latin Crew, is a Pittsburgh based percussionist, researcher, educator and avid collector of Latin music photos, records and memorabilia. Born in New York City, Noel grew up surrounded by Afro-Caribbean music. His uncle owned a record store, and he began to build his own record collection early on. After being introduced to Luis Romero, a renowned percussionist and recording artist, Noel began to take private lessons on the conga drums. He attended the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts in the Museo del Barrio where he studied Afro-Cuban and AfroPuerto Rican styles as well as contemporary urban salsa with "Little" Ray Romero, Johnny Almendra, Luis "Timbalito" Romero, and Pedro Fernandez. In New York, he began to perform professionally with the band Sabor Boricua and a few Colombian salsa bands that favored Cuban and Puerto Rican percussionists. Noel has also performed with Tito Puente, Johnny Almendra y Los Jovenes del Barrio, Luis Romero y Mazacote, Richie Ray, Pedro Jesus, Anthony Cruz, Andy Montanez and Tommy Olivencia In 1999, Noel Quintana moved to Cleveland where he performed and recorded with the band Impacto Nuevo. He also participated in the late pianist Roberto Ocasio's Jazz Project. Noel was also a member of the Cleveland Salsa All Stars and he performed with other salsa and latin music bands in the Ohio area. In 1999, he was a host of the radio show "Ritmo Latino" on WDLW 1380 AM for three years. Noel taught percussion and Afro-Caribbean rhythms with the Northeast Ohio Jazz Society's Banda Hispana Cultural and the Julia De Burgos Community Center for 16 years. He currently teaches private lessons in Latin percussion, and offers assembly performance programs for schools and cultural centers. The Latin Crew performs regularly throughout the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. For latest shows and bookings, connect with Noel Quintana via his Facebook page.