Some Argentines Without Means Do It

By JL Speranza

WOODY ALLEN has the taste for the right soundtrack. Pity he chose a French actor to impersonate the real singer behind "Some argentines without means do it..."

Conal Fowkes is a pianist, double-bassist, arranger and teacher.

Fowkes was born in Zambia and spent most of his early childhood in Mexico.

He moved to England in 1971.

Fowkes gained a place at the world-renowned Royal College of Music, London, where he studied with virtuoso concert pianist Yonty Solomon and privately with legendary Cuban Maestro Chucho Valdes.

In 1988 he entered the International Wavendon Allmusic Competition where he was presented with the award as Winner of the College Student Allmusician of the Year by HRH Princess Margaret.

While in London he performed with many leading musicians including Cleo Laine, Johnny Dankworth, Nigel Kennedy, Stacey Kent, John R.T. Davies, George Chisholm, Roberto Pla, Patato Valdes, Alfredo Rodriguez, Adalberto Santiago, Steve Turre, Henry Fiol, and Jesus Alemani.

Since moving to New York in 1996 he has performed in 48 States at most of the premier concert halls and jazz clubs.

He has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Wycliff Gordon, Bob Wilber, Ray Santos Big Band, Johnny Pacheco, Paquito D'Rivera, Marion McPartland, The Boston Pops Orchestra, Chocolate Armenteros, The Manhattan Rhythm Kings, Cheo Feliciano, The Night Hawks Orchestra and Bette Middler.

He has made several appearances on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion and the Rosie O'Donnell Show.

He can be heard and/or seen in the films

"Lipstick On Your Collar" (Dennis Potter)
"Madame Suzatska" (Schlessinger)
Ghost World,
Finding Forrester,
"The Aviator", Proud, The Loss of a Tear Drop Diamond and was featured soloist in the hit Broadway show, One Mo' Time.

He is featured on the sound track of Woody Allen's film
"You will meet a tall dark stranger"

He plays the voice and piano of Cole Porter in Allen's latest film "Midnight in Paris" ("Let's do it").


He can be seen on the DVDs, Live at Montreux Jazz Festival, with Eddy Davis, Wycliff Gordon and Evan Christopher, Live at the Campidoglio with Woody Allen and the 2009 release of Eddy Davis and Conal Fowkes Live in Barcelona. He is featured in the PBS documentary Sound Revolution presented by Morgan Freeman.

He has been with the Woody Allen New Orleans Jazz Band since 2001, touring the world while maintaining regular Monday nights at the Cafe Carlyle. He is part of a duo with the great banjoist and singer Eddy Davis with whom he regularly tours in Europe. He is also a member of Orange Kellin's New Orleans Blue Serenaders, award winning Cuban group Los Soneros de Oriente, Charanga Orchesta Yerason, Orchesta Tipica Novel and tours regularly with Grammy nominated Latin group The New Swing Sextet. He is also pianist to movie star Danny Aiello.

To date he has performed in 34 nations and has over 30 recordings to his name.