Lou Marini

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Lou Marini
Lou Marini at the Hamar Music Festival 2007, in Hamar, Hedmark, Norway
Lou Marini at the Hamar Music Festival 2007, in Hamar, Hedmark, Norway
Background information
Born May 13, 1945 (1945-05-13) (age 63)
Origin Navarre, Ohio, U.S.
Instrument(s) Saxophones, Clarinet, Flutes
Years active 1960 – present
Associated acts Blood, Sweat and Tears,
Buddy Rich Band,
Woody Herman Orchestra
Saturday Night Live Band,
The Blues Brothers,
James Taylor Band
Steely Dan,
Frank Zappa,
Magic City Jazz Orchestra
Website Lou Marini at All About Jazz

Lou Marini, Jr. (aka "Blue Lou") (born May 13, 1945) is an American saxophone player, arranger and composer. He is noted for his work in the jazz, rock, blues and soul music traditions.

Contents

[edit] Early life & a broad range of musical experience

Marini graduated from Fairless High School in Navarre, Ohio. His father, Lou Marini, Sr., was the head band director at Fairless and created the school's Alma Mater. Each year, Fairless High still bestows the Lou Marini Award in honor of his father's work. Lou Marini, Sr. passed away in May of 2008.

Lou Jr. attended the University of North Texas, where he played in the famed One O'Clock Lab Band. Following graduation, he gigged as a professional musician and eventually became a member of Blood, Sweat and Tears. He was a member of the Saturday Night Live house band from 1975 to 1983 and appeared in the movie The Blues Brothers and in the sequel, Blues Brothers 2000, playing the part of "Blue Lou" (a name given to him by Dan Aykroyd). He also played on Frank Zappa's 1977 album Zappa in New York, and has worked with a diverse range of artists such as Dionne Warwick, Maureen McGovern, Deodato, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Aerosmith, the Buddy Rich Big Band, and the Woody Herman Orchestra.

[edit] His first recording as a leader

Lou Marini has spent most of his professional life working as a sideman and arranger. In 2001, Marini made his first recording as a leader, with Ray Reach and the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, titled "Lou's Blues" (released 2003). This recording features his arrangements and compositions, many of which have become favorites for the 9 Lab Bands at the University of North Texas. The liner notes[1] of the CD were written by Grammy Award winning composer / arranger / producer Bob Belden.

[edit] Compositions and arrangements

Marini's works as an arranger and composer display many influences, including the work of Gil Evans, Bob Brookmeyer, Thad Jones and Don Ellis, as well as rock, pop and avant garde stylistic elements. For example, his composition, "Hip Pickles," originally written for Blood, Sweat and Tears, is described by reviewer Jack Bowers[2] of AllAboutJazz.com, as follows: "Marini's unorthodox notions surface on “Hip Pickles,” whose ”free” intro gives way to a melody played by screaming trumpets and Clapton-like guitar, prefacing a stormy interchange between Marini (alto) and Tom Wolfe [on guitar]."[3]

[edit] Partial discography

Since the early 1970's, Lou Marini has been, and continues to be, one of the most sought-after session musicians on the New York scene. He is admired and respected by his peers as a master of many styles, including jazz, R & B, soul and classical. The following is an abbreviated listing of some of the many recording projects in which he has participated.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Magic City Jazz Orchestra at All About Jazz
  2. ^ Jack Bowers @ All About Jazz
  3. ^ Lou's Blues

[edit] External links

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