Lou Volpe, contemporary jazz guitarist, uses cool guitar and feelgood grooves to present a new soulful jazz view of familiar tunes with a touch of Brazil from Dom Um Romao and Ithamarra Koorax.

13 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Smooth Jazz, WORLD: World Beat



Details:
A native of the Bronx, N.Y., Lou's special virtuosity has allowed him to work in a wide variety of musical contexts while developing a unique approach to jazz guitar - a warm and lyric romanticism that illuminates the worlds of Jazz, R&B and Adult Contemporary with singing intensity and exquisite taste.

He has completed a new recording, âUndercoversâ, with a radio-friendly collection of familiar songs including a fresh version of Lennon-McCartneyâs Eleanor Rigby featuring Brazilâs Dom Um Ramao and vocalist, Ithamarra Koorax.

The guitar of Lou Volpe, a mainstay of the New York music scene for the past two decades, has graced the recordings and performances of many of the finest and most successful musical artists. A deep knowledge of classic American guitar styles combined with writing, arranging and production skills has led Lou through a variety of recordings..

⢠Herbie Mann - âAstral Islandâ (Atlantic) - Coproduction, composition and arranging, extensive touring.
⢠Bette Midler - âLive At Lastâ (Atlantic) - Album solos and touring.
⢠Judy Collins - âSanity and Graceâ, âTrust Your Heartâ, Running For My Lifeâ (Elektra) - Solo and rhythm guitar, arranging, many tours and T.V. appearances.
⢠Terumasa Hino - âDouble Rainbowâ, âPyramidâ, âNew York Timesâ (Columbia/Sony) - Solo and rhythm guitar, arranging and writing, concerts and television in Japan.
⢠Harry Chapin - âLiving Room Suiteâ (Elektra)
⢠Richard Harris - âThe Prophetâ (Atlantic) - Solos and rhythm tracks for producer Arif Mardin.
⢠Les McCann - âRoad Warriorsâ (Greene Street Records) - A Creed Taylor production.
⢠Joey Di Francesco - Solos and rhythm guitar for Joey's first three Columbia albums including âWhere Were You?â, produced by George Butler, with Count Basie alumni.
⢠Lou Volpe - âMorning Madnessâ (Love Records) - Composition and arranging for solo European project.

Other performance and recording credits include work with Peggy Lee, Gil Evans, Chaka Khan, Larry Coryell, Bo Diddley, Jon Lucien, Tania Maria, Hank Crawford, David âFatheadâ Newman, Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Liza Minelli, Lionel Hampton, Roberta Flack, Phoebe Snow, The Manhattan Transfer, Herbie Hancock, othersâ¦â¦

Just Jazz Guitar Magazine says of Louâs playing: ââ¦plenty of passionate soulful guitar linesâ¦..sweet-singing jazzâ¦lyricalâ¦â¦you should check this out: it will make you smile.â


Syracuse Post Standard

âThe manâs ideas are forthright and his tone speaks the truth. Volpe only gets one solo on the record. Thatâs not enough. The stuff he displayed ⦠deserves moreâ¦â (referring to a Herbie Mann CD)

âHis notes donât sound, they sting. His phrases constantly turn over new groundâ¦â

Cincinnati Enquirer âHe has the hardness of Wes Montgomery â¦â

Times Reporter Fish Altieri writes of âUndercoversâ ââ¦a blend of well known songs cooked to perfection into instrumental pieces of comforting stylistic groovesâ¦.a pretty amazing lineupâ¦Listen for the tonal melancholy and clean ripping speed riffs on the Judy Collins classic, Both Sides Now. Quality stuff.â


More reviews comingâ¦â¦â¦.