Professor Louie & The Crowmatix

Professor Louie & The Crowmatix is a Woodstock, New York based Americana/Roots musical group led by Aaron Louis Hurwitz, who collaborated with The Band for over fifteen years. He is a musician and producer, nicknamed "Professor Louie" by Rick Danko. Professor Louie & The Crowmatix' music is a blend of Blues, Rock, R&B, Gospel, and Folk with harmonic vocals. The current members all hail from New York State. They have lived, traveled, and performed extensively around the globe.^[1]

Current members[edit]

Professor Louie & The Crowmatix are:^[2]

Aaron "Professor Louie" Hurwitz – Hammond organ, keyboards, vocals, accordion
Miss Marie Spinosa – vocals, percussion, piano
Gary Burke – drums
Frank Campbell – bass, vocals
John Platania – guitar, vocals
Special Guest performers: Todd Mihan – guitar Vito Petrocitto – guitar

History[edit]

Professor Louie & The Crowmatix came into existence preparing songs for Hurwitz’s studio productions for The Band working and recording at Levon Helm's Studio Barn in Woodstock, NY. Professor Louie did many recording sessions there with all members of The Band including co-producing three CD's in the '90's - Jericho, High On The Hog and Jubilation. In 1997, Levon Helm joined The Crowmatix traveling and performing in concert and recorded a CD entitled Levon Helm & The Crowmatix - Souvenir Vol. 1. In 2000, Professor Louie & The Crowmatix started touring and recording their own music. They now have sixteen studio CDs and two live recordings on the Woodstock Records label. Professor Louie & The Crowmatix have been the backing band for many recording artists such as Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Commander Cody Band , Guy Davis, Michael Falzarano and more.... Professor Louie & The Crowmatix composition "Melody Of Peace" was the Theme song for the 2010 CBS Television Holiday Special "The Melodies Of Christmas".

Professor Louie & The Crowmatix music is a blend of Blues, Rock, R&B, Gospel, and Folk with harmonic vocals. They have CD's, an LP and DVD's as well as merchandise to order from www.woodstockrecords.com.

In 2000, PL&C recorded their first CD Over the Edge for BreezeHill/Woodstock Records - The long awaited release by Professor Louie & The Crowmatix Over The Edge CD consists of ten songs, five of which are originals by Professor Louie and his co-writing partner Marie Spinosa. "Over The Edge" is a musical blend of Rock, Folk and R & B. Four tracks feature a great horn section of Tom Malone (David Letterman), Ron Cuber, Jim Hynes and Lenny Pickett(Tower Of Power). The showstopper is the 11+ minute version of The Grateful Dead's "Scarlet Begonias" featuring members of the David Nelson Band.

2001, Jam – BreezeHill/Woodstock Records ~ This CD brings forth the essence and the concept of a "Jam". Recorded live in the studio, the music transcends from structure into freeform and back to make this release very special and different. From start to finish "Jam" will take the listener into the heart and soul of The Crowmatix players. This CD also features guests, THE BAND's distinguished keyboard master : Garth Hudson and The David Letterman Band's Tom "Bones" Malone.

2003, Flyin' High – Woodstock Records ~ This rockin' album will take you to new heights ! Featuring new member Michael Falzarano's "Last Train Out" and brand new road driven originals and a special collaboration with Nashville's John Anderson.

2004 ~ Professor Louie & The Crowmatix CD Century Of The Blues received much acclaim and averaged #20 for six months on the Americana Radio Roots charts. Their music has consistently stayed on these charts for the past eight years. Original songs, Jackie & Bullfrog from their CD Flyin’ High have been the backing tracks for many episodes of Made and Trailer Fabulous on MTV.

2005 ~ Professor Louie & the Crowmatix were the first artists to have a live concert recording released by the New York State Museum. The CD is entitled The Spirit of Woodstock. It comprises fourteen songs including the music of Bob Dylan, The Band, Bruce Springsteen, The Crowmatix and more. The performance was in conjunction with the Museum’s exhibit including photos by Elliott Landy and a concert series entitled “Spirit of the Woodstock Generation.”

2008 ~ PL&C released As The Crow Flies a compilation CD with new originals as well as songs from their previous recordings. A collection of the most requested songs by fans and radio promoters by The Professor and his crew. Seventeen songs from their previous CD's and it kicks off with two new rockin' originals.

2010 ~ Professor Louie & the Crowmatix CD Whispering Pines was nominated for Five Grammys ~ Americana Roots/Rock at it's finest! Youtube favorite Title Track Whispering Pines and International Award Winning original composition by Prof. Louie & Miss Marie Melody Of Peace recorded with The Prague Radio Symphony and Kuhn Choir in the Czech Republic..

2012 ~ Wings On Fire CD has had rave reviews. Americana Template that jams out timeless rock, country, blues, and New Orleans influenced originals. This new CD features 13 songs - 10 originals. 2013 ~ Wings On Fire CD was released on Vinyl.

2016 - PL&C Music From Hurley Mountain CD - Voted Best Concept Record & Group by Radio Crystal Blue in 2016. Inspired by the beautiful farmlands next to their recording studio in the Catskill Mountains it's a spirited collection of 13 songs. This mix of originals, traditional tunes, heartfelt vocals and blistering guitar riffs from The Crowmatix brings fans inside the musical heritage that has shaped their sound and made them one of the Hudson Valley’s most beloved bands.

2017 - Professor Louie & The Crowmatix CD Crowin' The Blues was on The National Contemporary Blues Music Reports Charts in the top 20 for the first quarter. PL&C dig down into the origin of many great Blues songs. Recorded in three days live at their LRS Studio - original tunes as well as favorites High Heel Sneakers, I'm Gonna Play The Honky Tonks and a new arrangement of Jimmy Reed's Bright Lights Big City.

2018 ~ Professor Louie & The Crowmatix - The Lost Band Tracks CD - A six song EP on Funzalo/Woodstock Records. The Lost Band Tracks written & originally recorded in 1991 by Jules Shear and The Band members Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Stan Szelest, Jim Weider & Randy Ciarlante intended for a CD on Columbia Records but never released. Long time Producer, Engineer and performer Aaron Prof. Louie Hurwitz was the man behind those original sessions. So it only made sense to bring them to life re-recording the songs with his group The Crowmatix. This CD has been receiving great reviews.

2019 - PL&C Songs Of Inspiration CD - Wonderful inspirational songs including their International Award winning compositions. Melody Of Peace and Open Hand, Open Heart." It is an easy album to love, there is such fire and enthusiasm in the bands playing a branch of Americana that is all their own work and with Songs of Inspiration, their very roots feel suddenly unique." - Goldmine, Music Collectors Magazine

2019 - PL&C Miles Of Blues CD - A collection of nine new tracks and a bonus live cut and the CD is appropriately subtitled From L-50 to Steampunk and Miles of Blues in Between, giving us a clue to the variety in store for our listening pleasure. Miles Of Blues CD takes us on a joy ride across a marvelous musical landscape.

2022 - Strike Up The Band CD - Original songs reflecting unique visions of relationships and thoughts about this tumultuous world and the times we live in. This CD is upbeat and up lifting with great driving grooves, vocal stylings and magic guitar riffs. Some of the greatest work of their careers. Americana at it's best!

PERFORMANCES:

Professor Louie & The Crowmatix continue to perform in Concert. Here is a partial list of some Theaters & Clubs: Sellersville Theatre, PA, ~ The Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock, NY ~ Town Crier Beacon, NY ~ The Sportsman, Buffalo, NY The Cutting Room, NYC ~ The Turning Point, Piermont, NY ~ The Falcon, Marlboro, NY ~ Daryl's House, Pawling, NY Westminster Theater, MD ~ Proctors Theater NY ~ The Egg, Albany NY ~ Merkin Hall, NYC ~ The State Theater, PA The Fairfield Theatre, CT ~ BB Kings, NYC ~ House of Blues, CA ~ Bottom Line, NYC and Fitzgeralds, IL.

Festival Performances: Falcon Ridge Festival, NY ~ Gathering On The Mountain, PA ~ Toledo Blues Festival, OH The Clermont Arts Festival, NY ~ The Detroit International Street Fair, MI The London, Thunder Bay & Windsor Blues Festivals, ON, Canada ~ Beneath The Arch Concert Series, AB, Canada.

Media-Radio-Television[edit]

Professor Louie & The Crowmatix have been featured artists on various syndicated radio shows: Acousitc Café, Ann Arbor, Michigan, The Mitch Albom Radio show, Detroit, Michigan, Woodsongs Radio Hour, Lexington, KY, Dancin’ On The Air: WAMC Public Radio, Albany, NY, and The Dunhams, Atlanta, GA.

Radio Stations: Professor Louie & The Crowmatix are in rotation and frequently perform live: WKZE Red Hook, NY, WNTI Hackettstown, New Jersey, WRPI Troy, NY, WMDU Duluth, MN, WPDH Pougkeepsie, NY, WDST Woodstock, NY, and WUSB Stonybrook, NY.

In 2006, Professor Louie & The Crowmatix performed on the CBS Television Special, Melodies Of Christmas and performed their international award-winning song “Melody Of Peace” with the Empire State Orchestra and Choir. This show combined with other events raised $5,000,000 for The Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Hospital. “Melody Of Peace” won the international composition and arranging award given out by the 21st Century composers label ERM/Naxos. Professor Louie & Miss Marie had the opportunity to record and perform “Melody Of Peace” with The Czech Radio Symphony & Kuhn Choir in Prague, Czech Republic under the direction of Conductor Robert Ian Winstin. This recording was released in 2007 on the ERM/Naxos Recording label. “Melody Of Peace” was recorded and performed on television in Novosibirsk, Russia with the School for Gifted Musicians Orchestra.

The great musicianship of all the members of The Crowmatix has enabled them to cross over into different musical genres and perform their songs in concert with orchestra and choirs. In 2007–08 they performed a Holiday and Summer program with The Virginia Youth Symphony.

Members Biographies[edit]

Aaron Professor Louie Hurwitz - Hammond organ/keyboards/accordion/vocals & songwriter. Early in his career, he was organist/pianist for Mercury recording artists The Mighty Gospel Giants Of Brooklyn, touring & performing at gospel shows across the country. Louie continued to study and perfect his musical abilities performing in New York City and he became a sought after Record Producer/Engineer. Eventually, he moved up to Woodstock, NY and through his friend, guitarist Artie Traum he began work with the legendary group The Band. Louie would co-produce, engineer and perform on The Band’s last three albums in the 1990s: Jericho, High on the Hog and Jubilation. He worked on many musical ventures with The Band (TV & Radio shows) and did solo projects with Levon Helm, Rick Danko & Garth Hudson. He was tagged “Professor Louie” by The Band’s vocalist/bass player Rick Danko while traveling and performing as a duo here and abroad.Production Credits include CD’s with Irelands’ Four Men & A Dog, Rick Danko’s “Live On Breeze Hill” & “Times Like These” CD’s and the solo CD “The Sea To the North” by Garth Hudson of The Band. Hurwitz has recorded and performed with many accomplished musicians such as Graham Parker, Commander Cody Band, Guy Davis, Buckwheat Zydeco, Mercury Rev to name a few.

Professor Louie has an instructional DVD on Homespun Tapes “Rock & Blues Accordion”. Professor Louis traveled to Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia seven times where he has performed and taught English through singing to students and brought his Americana music (Rock/ R&B/ Folk/ Gospel) performing with many musical groups there. A Documentary DVD of his experiences in Russia, filmed on location, “Woodstock-Siberia Blues Express” and has been featured in the 2007 Woodstock Film Festival and The International Maine Film Festival. In 2010, Professor Louie was inducted into The Southern Canadian Blues Hall Of Fame in Windsor, Canada.

Miss Marie (Marie Spinosa) vocalist/pianist/percussionist & songwriter. She began her musical career studying classical piano and went on to sing and perform in the Rock/Blues/R&B genre. Marie played in the NY tri-state area with various groups and would eventually meet Professor Louie in NYC. They began performing together in concert at premier clubs and touring the college circuit for many years before moving to Woodstock, NY. As part of the group Professor Louie & The Crowmatix, Miss Marie sings, plays percussion and piano and has co-written many of the songs on the Crowmatix CDs. She has worked consistently in Recording studios and her vocals and percussion can be heard on these CD’s: “Jubilation” by The Band, “Deserter’s Song” by Mercury Rev and she contributes vocals & percussion on Four Men & A Dog CDs. Miss Marie’s bluesy background vocals are featured on Rick Danko’s “Sip The Wine” and also on Danko’s “Times Like These” CD. Marie’s percussion can be heard on Garth Hudson’s solo CD “The Sea To The North” and background vocals on Commander Cody's "Live From The Island" CD. Miss Marie has a solo CD with the Crowmatix entitled “Collection”.

Gary Burke - Drummer/Arranger...Received a master's degree in music and performed with many groups before becoming the drummer and percussionist for The Radio City Music Hall Orchestra for four years during the 80’s. Gary has held an esteemed career playing drums for many notable musicians. He performed with Bob Dylan’ s Rolling Thunder Revue, worked with Graham Parker and many other groups but is best known to the public for his long tenure on drums on over a dozen albums with Joe Jackson. Starting in 1983 with the release of the Top Ten Gold album “Body and Soul”, Gary continued on into the ‘90’s with Joe Jackson in a mind-boggling mix of musical landscapes of gold, platinum and Grammy winning albums combined with many world tours and media profiles such as in Modern Drummer Magazine. He has contributed his drumming talents to all the recordings of Professor Louie & The Crowmatix and most recently has worked on many musical arrangements of Crowmatix songs for Horn Sections and Orchestra performances.

Frank Campbell - Bass player/vocalist... He studied music and learned how to play and record early in his career since his dad owned and operated a Recording Studio in New York City. Frank would move on and travel and perform with many different groups in his long career. He played bass with the Rick Danko and Levon Helm duo tour of the '70s & early '80s. Frank then joined up with Steve Forbert and later would relocate to Austin,Texas where he recorded and worked with Asleep At The Wheel for ten years. Around 2000, Frank moved back to upstate New York and teamed up with Professor Louie & The Crowmatix. He is the featured bass player and background singer on many Crowmatix recordings and continues to record and perform with the group.

John Platania - Guitar/Vocals... Session musician, guitarist and record producer known for his great performances with Van Morrison for over thirty years beginning on "Moondance". John collaborated with Van creating some top hits such as the hit song Domino. John performed with many artists and played on numerous CD's with Chip Taylor, Randy Newman, Bonnie Raiit, Natalie Merchant, Don Mc Lean, Judy Collins and more...

Discography[edit]

Over the Edge – BreezeHill/Woodstock Records – 2000
Jam – BreezeHill/Woodstock Records – 2001
Flyin' High – Woodstock Records – 2003
Live – Woodstock Records – 2004
Century of the Blues – Woodstock Records – 2005
The Spirit of Woodstock – Woodstock Records – 2006
Holiday Time – Woodstock Records – 2007
As the Crow Flies – Woodstock Records – 2008
View of the Moon (Movie Score) – ERM/ Naxos Records – 2009
Whispering Pines – Woodstock Records – 2010
Like a Rolling Stone (Single) – Woodstock Records – 2011
Wings On Fire – Woodstock Records – 2012
Wings on Fire (Vinyl LP) – Woodstock Records – 2013
Music From Hurley Mountain - Woodstock Records - 2016
Crowin' The Blues - Woodstock Records - 2017
The Lost Band Tracks - Funzalo/Woodstock Records - 2018
Songs Of Inspiration - Woodstock Records - 2019
Miles Of Blues - Woodstock Records - 2019
Strike Up The Band - Woodstock Records - 2022

CD Quotes[edit]

Strike Up The Band ~ An excellent recording for all those who like and are interested to discover the whole and real spirit of American Roots Music. - LaHora Blues
Strike Up the Band ~ Killer Americana to the Max. - MidWest Record Review
Miles Of Blues ~ A fabulous journey down the lost highway of authentic roots, Americana and blues music from an artist and a band that screams the listeners attention for every song. Professor Louie & The Crowmatix have created an outstanding album of immense interest and appeal to all listeners of roots and blues music ~ David Roman, Mystery Train 99.7 Australia
As The Crow Flies ~ "No dull moments on this impressive collection. There aren’t many bands with the real roots music credentials. of The Crowmatix." - Elmore Magazine
Century Of The Blues ~ "This five-piece ensemble manages to put out a huge, rich sound more characteristic of a stage full of instruments. From first track to last, the group powers through with sure-handed dynamic energy." - Dirty Linen
Century Of The Blues ~ "This is a group of incredibly talented musicians. The deep, in-the-pocket drums and the richly-textured organ are exceptional. Best described as a party of musical mixology." - Blues Bite Review
Holiday Time ~ bursts with dark, soulful exuberance. Professor Louie & The Crowmatix have concocted a bluesy brew that rocks big time. Outrageous!" - Carol Swanson, Christmasreviews.com
Flyin’ High sounds as comfortable as a front porch sofa. Prof. 'Louie’s' upstate ensemble is an old school Americana template that jams out timeless rock, country, blues and New Orleans influenced originals.” - Village Voice
Professor Louie & The Crowmatix spread good vibes on Flyin’ High CD. From country rock to ballads to New Orleans shuffles. with three singers spreading the wealth." - Night Ridder
Jam ~ "This CD delivers a lively mix of blues, boogie & rock’ n’ roll -stellar players- full of energy and sheer exuberance. - Relix
Over The Edge ~ this disc is all about soulful rock. A roots rock extravaganza." - The Advocate
Over The Edge features a batch of impressive original roots-rockers as well as rumblin’ rendition of The Band’s “Endless Highway.” - Jam
“…a tasty mix of rhythm and blues, and rock & roll. This is a great band.” - Record Review

Sources[edit]

References[edit]

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[1] ttp://thecrowmatix.com/

[2] ttp://theband.hiof.no/albums/jericho.html

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