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Bill Cantos is a renowned American pianist, composer, and singer who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on September 12, 1951, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Cantos grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer. Cantos started playing the piano at the age of four and showed a natural talent for music. Cantos' family moved to Los Angeles when he was six years old, and he continued to develop his musical skills. He attended the University of Southern California, where he studied music composition and jazz piano. During his time at USC, Cantos played with the USC Jazz Band and performed with jazz legends such as Ella Fitzgerald and Stan Getz. After graduating from USC, Cantos began his career as a professional musician. He worked as a session musician, playing keyboards on recordings for artists such as Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, and Elton John. Cantos also worked as a composer for television and film, writing music for shows such as "The Love Boat" and "Falcon Crest." In the 1980s, Cantos began to focus more on his career as a solo artist. He released his first album, "Who Are You," in 1986, which featured his original compositions. The album received critical acclaim and established Cantos as a talented composer and performer. Cantos continued to release albums throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including "Love Wins" (1993), "After Hours" (1996), and "A Place in Time" (2002). His music is a blend of jazz, pop, and classical influences, and his compositions often feature intricate harmonies and complex rhythms. In addition to his work as a solo artist, Cantos has collaborated with many other musicians throughout his career. He has worked with jazz legends such as Dave Brubeck and Stan Getz, as well as pop artists such as Phil Collins and Chaka Khan. Cantos has also performed with symphony orchestras around the world, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. Cantos has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 1990, he won a Grammy Award for his work as a songwriter on the album "Be Still My Soul" by The Imperials. He has also been nominated for several other Grammy Awards, including Best Jazz Vocal Performance for his album "Love Wins" in 1994. In addition to his Grammy Award, Cantos has received several other awards for his work as a composer and performer. He was awarded the ASCAP Jazz Wall of Fame Award in 2005 and the Henry Mancini Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2010. Cantos was also inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in 2012. Cantos continues to perform and record music today. He has released several albums in recent years, including "Love Wins Again" (2016) and "Where the Light Is" (2019). He also performs regularly with his wife, jazz vocalist Mari Falcone, and the couple has released several albums together. In conclusion, Bill Cantos is a talented and versatile musician who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. His compositions and performances are a blend of jazz, pop, and classical influences, and his intricate harmonies and complex rhythms have earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards. Cantos' career as a solo artist, session musician, and composer has spanned several decades, and he continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world.

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