"We all have had our ups and downs emotionally, and this music certainly transcends these feelings."
That's what Peekskill-native Aaron Louis Hurwitz—better known as Professor Louie of Professor Louie and the Crowmatix—loves about the blues. He said it's the "honesty of the music" that draws people in.
That's one reason Professor Louie, one of several musicians with strong ties to Peekskill, is expecting a great show Saturday. He, his band mates and a slew of other performers will take the stage at the Paramount Hudson Valley for the Blues Hall of Fame induction ceremony and concert.
Here are the performers and inductees, as described by organizers:
- Sam Allen: A 28-year blues singer and guitarist in New
York - Ray Blue: A Peekskill resident and to-be-inducted Hall Of
Fame saxophonists, composer and performer - Commander Cody AKA George Frayne: A 2012 Blues Hall Of
Fame inductee - Professor Louie & The Crowmatix: 2012 Blues Hall Of Fame
and five time Grammy Nominated inductees - Michael Cochran: An international Blues pianist, composer,
arranger and instructor extraordinaire (born in Peekskill) - Lady Peachena & The Great Divas of Gospel: Legendary gospel singers, to be inducted
- Big Joe Fitz: A Hudson Valley and Woodstock NY Blues radio
legend, to be inducted - Michael Packer Blues Band: A well-known and respected
artist on the New York City Blues scene
Patch: When did you pick up music, and how do those memories tie into Peekskill?
Professor Louie: I started playing music because of the great music department that Peekskill had in the school system when I was a kid. Most of the encouragement came from Vincent Corozine. He made it fun and made you feel that you belonged. It is a thrill for me to be playing on the stage with him, Ray Blue and Michael Cochrane, who all share this same background. My only regret on this show is that Chip White will not be here with us; he is touring out of the country, but as I mentioned we are all professional musicians and it is hard to get everyone in the same place at the same time. I am hoping that we get such a large turnout that the Paramount will want to do it again and we can have another show with Chip. The memory I have of the theater is waiting on line on a Saturday afternoon with all my friends waiting to see a movie. Coming back to perform in the theater is quite a welcomed surprise and it just goes to show you, you never know what is in store.
Patch: Your band plays more than 150 shows each year. Why are you looking forward to this event?
Professor Louie: This is a very special event for us as I grew up in Peekskill and we are honoring many musicians who came from Peekskill and are still living there. We are also paying homage to our music teacher Vincent Corozine who taught some of us and put us on the path to be professional musicians. He will be there and will be playing.
Patch: What is it that you love about playing the blues?
Professor Louie: The Blues is truly an American art form along with Gospel & Jazz, which will be well represented at this concert. It is a true an honest feeling that we all share.
Patch: What sort of preparation goes into getting ready for a show? Describe challenges and rewards of that process.
Professor Louie: Each show is very different. On this show we will be performing with the different artists so it will take some time to learn each other's music. The challenge will make the show that much better, which becomes the reward.
Patch: Is there a particular group you're expecting big things from, and what do you think the atmosphere will be like?
Professor Louie: Everyone on the show is a professional musician consistently performing. I am sure everyone will be performing at their best. The crowd will be supportive, as I don't think any show has featured so many musicians from Peekskill. We have to thank the theater for presenting this show.
Patch: Which musicians have had the biggest impact on you and your band mates?
Professor Louie: Of course all the great musicians of past years; Duke Ellington, Muddy Waters, Mahalia Jackson, The Beatles etc. However, speaking about Professor Louie & The Crowmatix, we have all performed and worked with great artists over the years which have shaped the groups sound. Gary Burke on drums played with Bob Dylan; I worked and performed with The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame group The Band for 15 years; Frank Campbell, bass, performed with Steve Forbert and Levon Helm; Josh Colow, guitar, opened shows for James Cotton, Muddy Waters; Miss Marie, vocals, percussion and keys, had performed with Rick Danko and Levon Helm. Collectively and individually we have been the backing band in the studio for many artists, including Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Jackie Washington, Lucky Peterson and many more. All of these experiences have helped create and influence our music and sound.
Patch: What's it like to play in your hometown, and how often do you perform in this area?
Professor Louie: It is a thrill for me to see and perform for people I grew up with. The friends in Peekskill have always has been very supportive of my career and I have been very appreciative of the confidence that they have in me ... Not very often which makes this show very special. I just finished performing on The Legendary Blues Cruise that took me to Florida, New Orleans and Mexico and we are now going to Maryland for shows and will tour Russia at the end of The Month.
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The Paramount is located at 1008 Brown Street in Peekskill. The event begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, and doors open at 7. Tickets are available online. Click here and here for more information.
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