Lou Marini

Lou Marini, Jr. (also known as Blue Lou) (born May 13, 1945) is an American saxophonist, arranger and composer. He is noted for his work in the jazz, rock, blues and soul music traditions.

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" (official song). Each year, Fairless High still bestows the Lou Marini Award in honor of his father's work. Lou Marini, Sr. died in May 2008. Both Lou Marini Sr. and Lou Marini Jr. were inducted into the Fairless Alumni Association Hall of Honor in May 2010. In June 2010, he was named Artistic Director at the first Brianza Blues Festival, in Villa Reale (Monza, Italy).
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.

Lou Marini has spent most of his professional life working as a sideman and arranger. In 2001, Marini released 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 Lab Bands at the University of North Texas. The liner notes of the CD were written by Grammy Award winning composer / arranger / producer Bob Belden. Lou is currently working on a new CD project, again collaborating with Ray Reach, with vocals by his son, Lou Marini III.
On March 23, 2010, Marini released a new recording titled The Blue Lou and Misha Project - Highly Classified, a collaboration with Israeli pianist and composer Misha Segal.



Lou Marini es un saxofonista, arreglista y compositor de jazz, originario de Navarro, Ohio, nacido el 13 de mayo de 1945.

Lou, es hijo de Lou Marini Sr., director de orquesta, de la Fairless High School, fallecido en mayo de 2008. Inició su carrera profesional en la banda de Woody Herman, de la que pasó a integrarse en el grupo de jazz rock, Blood, Sweat & Tears, con los que estuvo entre 1972 y 1975. Después formó parte de la banda estable del Saturday Night Live y de The Blues Brothers, interviniendo además como actor en los dos films de la saga. Paralelamente, 1977, tocó con Frank Zappa, así como con otros grupos, entre ellos Steely Dan, Aerosmith, Eumir Deodato, Elliot Murphy, Michael Franks y la big band de Buddy Rich.

En 2003, publica su primer disco como titular, Lou's blues (Chase Music Group), con la Magic City Jazz Orchestra.