Professor Louie has emerged in the music industry as the torch bearer of the true spirit of American Roots music. Seasoned live performer, prolific recording artist and versatile multi-instrumentalist Professor Louie also wears the hat of award-winning recording producer and engineer, capturing the talents of some of the world’s most highly acclaimed musicians, most notably, The Band. In addition to his work with The Band, Louie has played with, engineered or produced an incredible roster of artists spanning a wide array of genres including: Dave Brubeck, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Blondie, Jose Feliciano, John Sebastian, Buckwheat Zydeco, Garth Hudson to name a few.
Louie became a part of The Band’s legacy: co-producing, engineering and performing on their three final albums, Jericho, High on the Hog, and Jubilation. He became a collaborating touring member of The Band from 1985 to 1999 until Rick Danko’s passing. It was during this time that Rick Danko christened Hurwitz “Professor Louie” in respect to his being their musical arranger and the glue that kept everything together..
As leader of his own group, Professor Louie & The Crowmatix, he has tirelessly toured the world for over twenty years. Professor Louie shares with longtime songwriting, vocalist, Marie Spinosa, or “Miss Marie,” a powerful vocalist, songwriter, pianist and percussionist. Their song “Melody of Peace,” recorded with The Prague Radio Symphony & Kuhn Choir won the International Composition Award from the classical label, ERM/Naxos, and has been recorded by numerous symphonies worldwide. The CBS 6 TV Special “Melodies Of Christmas” viewed to three million people on CBS 6 featured their song “Melody Of Peace”. This show over the past has raised over $8,000,000 for The Melodies Ward in The Children’s Hospital at Albany Med NY
Professor Louie & The Crowmatix have released 15 CDs and maintain a steady performance schedule of over 150 live dates a year. and have performed at most major Music Festivals and venues. Their CD’s have been in the top ten on The RMR Contemporary Blues Charts crossing over to The Americana Charts and Jam Band Charts.
Louie was the recipient of the 2015 Robert H. Chambers Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts at Common Ground.
