Music has been referred to as being many things; life, a weapon, the answer and even as a sanctuary to name a few and in the masterful hands of DJ CATO (a.k.a Congrí) they become all of these things.
On any given night throughout New York City Cato can be found executing his craft on eager ears and feet. Part of his allure as a dj is that he is extremely adaptable to any situation and crowd and well armed with keen music knowledge and understanding as well as impeccable timing. So rather than limiting himself to any one specific genre Cato allows his listeners ears, minds and feet to travel to far flung places. Whether it's a samba school in Rio de Janeiro, a dancehall in Brixton, a block party in Spanish Harlem or a nightclub or lounge just about anywhere he is comfortably in the pocket.
Originally from Friedberg, Germany his family relocated to America via New York and settled in Gainesville Florida by the time he was six years old. Growing up there as an adolescent, he found he could translate his love and near obsession for music only by sharing it and was soon djing around town at local parties. He began to make his way by traveling around the country ending up in Atlanta, GA where he honed his autodidactic skills spinning alongside DJ's T-Rock and F.Y.I. They became known as the Headknod Squad and after a few years of playing mostly hip-hop with them, he yearned for something more. The deafening call of New York City proved to be too loud to ignore, and in 1996, he made his move.
Following his dreams of becoming a working DJ proved to be harder in New York as the market was submerged with talent from around the world, all pursuing the same dream. He submitted to various day jobs and landed one at Diesel, helping to open New York’s first Diesel store. He tenaciously worked a corporate job by day while djing by night, for the next seven years. Even as he rose in ranks as an east coast executive for the company, he never lost sight of his dreams.
Steadily, he was also breaking into the underground New York scene. As a bi product of his day job, Cato was afforded numerous trots around the globe. He collected music not commonly found in mainstream America, and subsequently injected those new sounds into the veins of New York clubs and lounges. People took notice, and the gigs were beginning to interfere with his day job. Finally, after living this double life for seven years, he was able to leave his career at Diesel and the rest, as they say, is history…
He’s held residencies and gigs at some of New York’s best parties and swankiest lounges; Moomba, 357 Magnum, Lenny Kravitz's K.O.S, Pacha, The Maritime Hotel’s Cabanas, The Grammercy Park Hotel's Rose Bar, JIMMY at The James Hotel, S.O.B.'s (Sounds of Brazil), Bar Marmont at Chateau (LA), Soho House (LA), Turntables on the Hudson, Afrokinetic, Manjinga, Beleza and his very own Sofrito Salvaje party (with dj's OBaH and Scientific). Cato has also played at the Bronx Museum, the Candela Music & Art Festival in Puerto Rico, Tribeca Film Festival, WKCR’s The Mambo Machine, Club Santanera in Playa Del Carmen Mexico, Favela Chic in Paris, numerous movie screenings and wrap parties and even on the Coney Island boardwalk in Brooklyn.
Just relocating to Los Angeles from Brooklyn New York, Cato is ready to start a new chapter on the West Coast of the map!
Stay tuned for much more from Cato a.k.a Congrí….
Users who follow DJCato
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Portland, Oregon
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