Lou Stein
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Origins
Lou Stein grew up in Philadelphia and acquired thorough classical
training under Gregory Ashman, accompanist to Ephraim Zimbalist. As
early as eighteen he worked as a jazz pianist on the road and in his
native town including a stint with Ray McKinley’s band. While in the
U.S. Army, Lou was a pianist with the world-famous, Glenn Miller
orchestra, alternating with Mel Powell.
Tours All Over the World
He toured Australia and Europe with the World’s Greatest Jazz Band
(Lawson-Haggart Band) and Europe with the Savoy 7 including Curtis
Fuller, Bob Haggart, Oliver Jackson and others. He has also toured Japan
with Butch Miles and Peanuts Hucko. Lou played solo piano at Toronto’s
well-known club, the Cafe Des Copains, and The Lou Stein Trio performed
at clubs in NY and CT and featured Brian Torff, Jeff Fuller, and Bob
Haray, as well as guest soloists.
Guest Artist at Many Festivals
Lou Stein was a guest soloist at festivals in Odessa (TX), Vail and
Aspen (CO), Monterey (CA), Fairfield (CT), at the Heritage Jazz Festival
in New Orleans, and in New York at the Newport Jazz Festival.
#2 Pianist According to Downbeat
In the fifties, he became a much sought after free-lance artist in New
York City and was voted second only to his friend Mel Powell as best
pianist in the country by the readers of Downbeat magazine.
Historic Time with Parker
He was the pianist who appeared on historic cuts, “Stella by Starlight”
and “Lover” recorded by master saxophonist, Charlie Parker. These are
featured on the “Charlie Parker with Strings” album.
Writer and Composer
Lou was on the advisory board and a regular contributor to Sheet Music
Magazine and Jazz and Keyboard Workshop. Oscar Peterson recorded another
of Lou’s compositions, “Soft Sands” on Verve.
Educator and Mentor
In addition to his career as a player and composer, Lou taught jazz
history and piano at Manhattanville College and the State University of
New York, hosted a weekly jazz radio show, and taught a small cadre of
students.
Recordings and Fellow Musicians
Lou worked and recorded with Percy Faith, Jackie Gleason, Bobby Hackett,
Benny Goodman, Lester Young, Clark Terry, Kai Winding, Coleman Hawkins,
Milt Hinton, Shelly Manne, Charlie Shavers and many others. Also during
this time he recorded nearly fifteen albums on Decca with the
Lawson-Haggart band featuring Lou McGarrity, Cutty Cutshall, and Bud
Freeman.
Lou at the White House
Lou appeared at the White House with the N.Y. Repertory Company for
former President Carter and Chancellor Schmidt of West Germany in a
tribute to Louis Armstrong.
Work with Charlie Ventura
Lou was an integral member of the Charlie Ventura group as both player
and composer. During the period with Ventura, Stein composed, “East of
Suez,” one of the earliest jazz pieces to break with sonata form
(A-A-B-A) that has since been recorded by jazz singers Jackie & Roy
(nominated for an Grammy on Concord), pop vocalist Chaka Khan (Warner
Bros.), and Canadian jazz flutist, Moe Koffman (Duke Street).
The Songs
mp3 Mary Had A Little Lamb