Portuguese-born, Carolina-bred, and current New York City resident Louis Cato is a multifaceted individual who has traversed the realms of music, television, and beyond. As a Grammy-nominated and internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter, Cato has had the privilege of collaborating with an array of esteemed artists, including Beyoncé, Q-tip, John Legend, and Mariah Carey.
Throughout his illustrious career, Cato has toured with some of the most influential acts in music, such as Bobby McFerrin, Snarky Puppy, Marcus Miller, John Scofield, David Sanborn, and George Duke. His versatility has also led him to become a featured member of Jon Batiste and Stay Human on CBS's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."
Cato's musical journey began early, with drumming lessons starting at the tender age of two and wind instrument training commencing at twelve. His education and influence are deeply rooted in the gospel and contemporary Christian genres, having completed two semesters at Berklee College of Music. However, it was his experiences in the underground jazz and soul scene in Boston, where he honed his skills as a bassist, drummer, and guitarist through nightly performances, that truly shaped his craft.
In 2007, Cato's path crossed with Marcus Miller and other prominent figures in the music industry at the North Sea Jazz Festival. This serendipitous encounter would lead to future collaborations and opportunities. After two decades of lending his talents to other projects, Cato released his debut solo record STARTING NOW (2016),which he also mixed and produced entirely by himself.
Reflecting on his creative process, Cato stated, "I set out to make an honest record, a documentation of who I am and what I do...I feel like I've done that." With STARTING NOW, Cato has successfully crafted a sonic landscape that is both timeless and innovative, cementing his status as a master musician and producer.
