Professor Louie

by Erik HageMulti-instrumentalist/producer Professor Louie (aka Aaron Hurwitz) is primarily known for his long-standing association with the Band and for being somewhat of a Zelig on the Woodstock, NY, music scene during the '90s.
The New York native studied piano and arrangement at such NYC programs as Henry Street Settlement and the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and performed in the downtown club scene with the roots-based Mighty Gospel Giants of Brooklyn. In the early '80s, he was brought into contact with Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and Garth Hudson, who were, at the time, resurrecting the Band. After collaborating with Hudson throughout the '80s in Woodstock, Louie made the move to the small town. Weekly sessions with a variety of artists, including his writing partner, vocalist "Miss Marie" Spinosa, at Levon Helm's home studio led to the formation of the Crowmatix.
During the '90s, Louie co-produced and engineered the Band albums Jericho, High on the Hog, and Jubilation. He also paired up with Rick Danko for a series of duo concerts and did studio work with groups as diverse as Mercury Rev (Deserter's Songs), Livingston Taylor, Four Men and a Dog, and Artie Traum. Louie toured with Danko shortly before the singer/bassist's death and co-produced and performed extensively on his posthumous album, Times Like These. Professor "Louie" & the Crowmatix released Over the Edge on Breeze Hill Records in August 2000. Jam followed a year later, offering a collection of jam sessions by some of the best roots rockers in the underground. A year later, Flyin' High offered more of the same.