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Sultry, seductive, singular, the celebrated sounds of saxophonist “Blue Lou” Marini continue to electrify and inspire audiences all over the world. For Marini, music is language. A seasoned performance artist, arranger, and composer, he is fluent in jazz, rock, blues, and classical. Accomplished on soprano, alto, and tenor sax, flue, piccolo, alto flute, and clarinet, he is truly one of the industry’s most prolific luminaries with a tireless commitment to the evolution of his craft.
Lou Marini’s list of achievements spans a rich and diverse spectrum of both venue and genre. No stranger to the daunting rigors of television, Lou was one of the original members of the Saturday Night Live Band, playing on the show from 1976 to 1983. A vivid memory for many veteran SNL audiences is Lou’s unforgettable saxophone solos at the open and close of each show, and of course his trademark long hair and funky mustache.
“Blueness,” as Lou is also known, was the saxophone soloist for Billy Preston’s band on NIGHTLIFE, hosted by comedian David Brenner, and has made numerous appearances on the DAVID LETTERMAN SHOW, the Grammy Awards, as well as countless network television specials such as Aretha Franklin’s duet special and a special for the AIDS foundation featuring Dionne Warwick and Elton John.
In addition to his television projects, Lou Marini has enjoyed a formidable roster of successes in the film arena. In John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd’s 1980 cult classic THE BLUES BROTHERS, Lou played band member and saxophone soloist “Blue Lou.” To this day, the remarkable popularity of the Blues Brothers Band continues. Lou and the other band members tour worldwide, giving live concerts to packed houses and hundreds of thousands of screaming fans. In 1998, the film BLUES BROTHERS 2000 was released and Lou had an even more prominent acting and musical role. Equally as comfortable behind the camera, Lou has contributed both playing and writing to such films as THE REF, HAIR, THE WIZ, BRIGHT LIGHTS BIG CITY, TRUE COLORS, BURNING BED, BYE BYE BIRDIE, TURNER & HOOCH, MIXED NUTS, and most recently A FAMILY THING starring Robert Duvall and James Earl Jones.
Lou has also played on numerous albums, many of which went platinum. The roster of legendary performance artists with whom he has worked continues to grow, and includes such luminaries as Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Donald Fagen, Jose Carreras, Maureen McGovern, Lou Reed, and Frank Zappa.
In addition to collaborating with acclaimed individual artists, Blue Lou has played with a diverse plethora of some of the industry’s most prominent bands such as Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, Dr. John, Blood Sweat & Tears, and The Band. A great lover of big bands, Lou has also had the honor of performing with some of his childhood idols, most notably Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Thad Jones-Mel Lewis, and Doc Severinson.
Recently, he recorded his own big band album, co-produced with pianist Ray Reach [LOU'S BLUES - Lou Marini & the Magic City Jazz Orchestra], recorded on most of the horn tracks for the new Steely Dan Album TWO AGAINST NATURE, and is currently touring with trumpeter, Lew Soloff’s quintet. In 2001 [also 2003 & 2005], Lou toured with James Taylor [62 concerts] in the U.S. and is on James’ "October Road" album.
Lou lives in New York City’s Upper West Side. His son, Lou Marini, III, is proudly following in his father’s footsteps.
“The focal point of the group is Lou Marini...he gives the band most of its colors and shadings and provides it with a strongly melodic lead voice...Mr Marini moves through these various in whatever style he happens to find himself.”
~ John S. Wilson, NEW YORK TIMES
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thanks for the add!1
Mike Tafoya