‘Blue’ Lou Marini

Blue Lou Marini on the DV Alto 7 Saxophone Mouthpiece

"This JodyJazz metal alto is beautifully made, plays in tune and gives me the bark and bite I need for louder playing situations. Records great too."

Lou Marini Biography

One of the most sought after session horn players on saxophone, flute and clarinet, solo artist, arranger and composer Lou Marini has electrified audiences for several decades now with his "sultry, seductive and singular" sounds in jazz, rock, blues, classical music and in film, television shows and specials.

Lou Marini, Jr. made a name for himself as a sideman in various high profile groups the early 1970s and continues to be one of the most sought-after sidemen and session musicians on the scene today. The New York based Marini is famed for his chameleon-like adaptability to imagine and perform inventive ideas in jazz, rock, blues and classical music. He is accomplished on soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxes, piccolo, flute, alto flute, bass flute and clarinet and any top New York jazz musician will tell you he’s "one of the absolute best jazz musicians."

Lou Marini, Jr. is also well known as a member of several distinguished bands: Woody Herman Orchestra, Doc Severinson, Blood, Sweat and Tears, The Band, Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars, Dr. John, Frank Zappa, Saturday Night Live (SNL) Band, The Blues Brothers, Maureen McGovern, Lew Soloff Quintet, Blue Beck with Joe Beck, Eric Clapton, Red House, and the Magic City Jazz Orchestra. He has toured four times each with James Taylor’s Band of Legends and the John Tropea Band. A true blue lover of big bands, Lou has had the honor of performing with some of his childhood idols such as Thad Jones-Mel Lewis and the Buddy Rich Band, the latter with whom he also arranged.

He has recorded on numerous albums, many of which went platinum. Celebrities with whom his “Blueness,” as Lou is also known, has recorded with include Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Aerosmith, Maureen McGovern, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Luther Vandross, Lou Reed, Brecker Brothers, Dr. John, Donald Fagan, Eddie Palmieri, Jimmy Buffet, Frank Zappa, John Tropea, and Steely Dan. Contrasting, yet notable icons he has also performed with include Eric Clapton Smokey Robinson, Jose Carreras, Lou Rawls, The Supremes, Dr. John, Four Tops, Sting, and Tina Turner.

It is Marini’s seven year association as an original SNL band member that led to his role as “Blue Lou” in John Belushi and Dan Akroyd’s cult classic movie, “The Blues Brothers.” To this day, the remarkable popularity of the Blues Brothers Band is kept alive. Lou and the other band members tour worldwide, giving live concerts to packed houses and hundreds of thousands screaming fans.

No stranger to film, Lou Marini enjoys a formidable roster of success in this arena, too. His character as a band member and the saxophone soloist, who performs with his sax on the counter of a diner as Aretha Franklin sings “Think” in “The Blues Brothers” movie, remains throughout the sequel “Blue Brothers 2000.” Dubbed ‘Blue Lou’ by Dan Akroyd, he is also well-recognized for his saxophone solos at the open and close of SNL episodes, and as the golden pharaoh who plays a solo instrumental hit for comedian Steve Martin’s “King Tut” sketch on a 1978 episode.

Different film-related projects Marini has lent his talents to are “Nightlife,” hosted by comedian David Brenner (saxophone soloist for Billy Preston’s band), numerous appearances on the “David Letterman Show,” the “Grammy Awards,” “Tony Awards,” “James Taylor’s Musicare’s Man of the Year Special,” “Kennedy Center Honors,” the soundtrack of Martin Scorsese’s “The Last Waltz,” “Sesame Street,” countless network television specials (i.e. Aretha Franklin’s duet special, all-star band for President-Elect Obama on HBO’s ‘We Are One,’ an AIDS special featuring Dionne Warwick and Elton John). Likewise, Lou’s genius is featured in “The Ref,” “The Wiz,” “Bright Lights Big City,” “Burning Bed,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Turner & Hooch,” “Mixed Nuts,” and most recently a “Family Thing,” starring Robert Duvall and James Earl Jones.

Today, Blue Lou’s singular, expressive voice achieves virtuosity in his first collaborative recording with Misha Segal titled “The Blue Lou & Misha Project - Highly Classified.” His third album as a leader, Marini defines a cutting-edge, urban cool jazz vibe that revolutionizes the soundscape with edgy concepts and cliche-free tones. The celebrated saxophone wizard takes listeners on an ultra-original, sonic adventure showcasing horn solos. Masterful compositions and arrangements combine with smooth rap rhythms and hints of humor. Overall, this unconventional, yet accessible, collection transports the listener at warp speed into the future, fusing contemporary jazz, fusion, rock, straight-ahead jazz, rap and hip hop. Other albums featuring Lou are “Chihuahua Boogie” (2010), “Lou’s Blues” (2001), and “Soul Serenade” (1992). Future releases include a Lynda Carter album, and a father-son project.

The ever-present influence of Lou Marini, Jr. is all around you. Jingles, television, radio and concerts all reflect the irresistible, innovative sounds of this veteran performer who electrifies audiences internationally. He truly is one of the industry’s most prolific luminaries who demonstrates a tireless commitment to his craft.

 

SHARE THIS POST

The Jodyjazz Website employs cookies to improve your user experience. We have updated our cookie policy to reflect changes in the law on cookies and tracking technologies used on the website, such as Google Analytics. If you continue on this website, you will be providing your consent to our use of cookies.