Professor Louie -"Rugged & Funky" features 13 songs performed as a solo piano / vocal from Louie's extensive repertoire including rare renditions of classic tracks.
In addition to leading the roots rockers "The Crowmatix", Louie continues a tireless, non-stop schedule to produce, engineer, educate and guest perform with international acts to audiences throughout the world.
Professor "Louie" (aka Aaron L. Hurwitz), keyboardist, accordionist and vocalist began his musical journey playing R&B and Blues and traveling the gospel circuit with the renowned Mighty Gospel Giants Of Brooklyn. In the Recording Studio, he co-produced
and played on three CD's for the Rock 'n Roll Hall Of Fame group The Band in the 90's. He performed internationally as a duo with the late vocalist/bassist Rick Danko who nicknamed him "Professor Louie".
In 2000, Louie formed his own group "The Crowmatix" and to date, they have recorded six studio CD's and perform at premier concerts and festivals in the US, Europe & Canada.
As a soloist, he has toured Novosibirsk, Russia three times performing and teaching. Louie & his writing partner Miss Marie composed the award winning song "Melody Of Peace" for a CBS TV Special, which they
later recorded live in Prague with The Czech Symphony and Kuhn Choir. The song was released in 2008 on the ERM/Naxos label.
Professor Louie's many performing and recording credits include these artists: The Band, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Guy Davis, Ireland's Four Men and A Dog, Graham Parker, Commander Cody, New Riders Of the Purple Sage, Dave Brubeck,
& Tony Trischka to name a few.
REVIEW:
Aaron L. Hurwitz (best known as) Professor "Louie" - Is known for his work with Rick Danko, Garth Hudson and The Band as well as Graham Parker, Commander Cody, the New Riders of the Purple Sage and many others, the keyboardist and producer usually finds himself surrounded by the best musicians around, so this solitary side of him is not normally seen.
Fittingly, a barrelhouse, bare-bones run through The Band's "Ophelia" and his own "Clouds" kicks this record off in fine style. At times it feels like you're sitting in a dusty saloon in the Old West watching the cowboys belly up to the bar with the rollicking sounds.
Louie doesn't stay there too long though. Soon he takes a trip to Harlem for Lionel Hampton's "Hamp's Boogie," a delightful toe-tapper if there ever was one. Still restless, he heads south next for a
bluesy ride through Muddy Waters' "Rollin' & Tumblin'" and Champion Jack Dupree's "Rugged & Funky." Finally, Louie brings it back to New York City with Bud Powell's "Time Waits."
Don't think for a minute that he can't do it all himself, as ultimately, "Rugged & Funky" is just that. You never get the feeling something's missing, and you do get to focus more closely on his extraordinary piano skills, that often times can take a backseat.
This fine CD proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Louie is a master musician, but beyond the playing, this CD is a veritable encyclopedia of piano and its styles and variations.
Reviewer: David Malachowski - The Daily Freeman - 3/5/10
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Rockin' Legacy
