Music
Press
The best of the bunch is an absolutely inspired take on "Blue in Green." Too Blue Lou and the Groove have turned this classic ballad into a true progressive jazz anthem. As far as I know, "Blue In Green" has never been approached from this aggressive angle. We usually want to hear how beautiful the piece is played, rather than thinking of the tune as a great power showcase. This performance has propulsive rhythmic force and melodic imagination. Though the whole band is in the groove, saxophonist Huff is especially impressive. This is a performance worthy of hitting the repeat button.
- Walter Kolosky Jazz.com
This crew just want's to have fun. ...A crisp set with a good groove woven into some solid beats, ...it's a dandy urban party record for when the street crowd has a taste for some up market ambience. - Midwest Record
"... Lou Montelione's "Too Blue Lou And The Groove" is one interesting session of music...what you'll hear on this recording you've not heard before. If you're game to sample a new style of music give this one a chance."
- eJazzNews.com
The best of the bunch is an absolutely inspired take on "Blue in Green." Too Blue Lou and the Groove have turned this classic ballad into a true progressive jazz anthem. As far as I know, "Blue In Green" has never been approached from this aggressive angle. We usually want to hear how beautiful the piece is played, rather than thinking of the tune as a great power showcase. This performance has propulsive rhythmic force and melodic imagination. Though the whole band is in the groove, saxophonist Huff is especially impressive. This is a performance worthy of hitting the repeat button.
- Walter Kolosky Jazz.com
Not all attempts to blend jazz with rap are successful. Once in a while, a merger of these genres works. "The Birth Of Hip Bop" by Too Blue Lou And The Groove is one such merger.
"...All the players make it seem as though they're playing for the simple joy of playing - a characteristic present in several songs." - All About Jazz
Don't know where Lou Montelione has been but it's a pleasure to welcome him home. Take my word, the man plays some serious jazz piano! Even better, don't take my work and listen for yourself. If you aren't as convinced as I was, well - listen a second time. You'll hear something new and exciting every time this abundantly melodious disc starts spinning. As George Foreman says, "I guarantee it." You may even find yourself glancing at the jacket from time to time to make sure you're not actually listening to one of jazz's "big-name" keyboard artists. That's the sort of persuasive impression Montelione fashions on his debut recording, breezing confidently through song after song with a sure-handed technique and clear-headed conception that belie his relatively limited credentials. Equally impressive are Montelione's teammates, the rock-solid duo of Logan and Brooks and the ardent Stubblefield, whose dauntless explorations on tenor or soprano always convey him - and the listener - through extremely agreeable territory. The group has a wonderful time unraveling Logan's "Gigology," Scott LaFaro's "Gloria's Step," Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way," David Benoit's "Some Other Sunset," Montelione's "Comin' Back Home" and the standards "Beautiful Love" and "I Fall in Love Too Easily." Stubblefield steps aside on another enduring standard, Victor Young/Ned Washington's "My Foolish Heart," and on the warm-hearted finale, Montelione's appropriately titled "Love Theme for My Family." Montelione's parents, both of whom are pianists, must be smiling broadly; also his late stepfather, who played saxophone in Georgie Auld's big band, and great-grandfather, a trombonist with bands led by Paul Whiteman and Vincent Lopez. Me? After hearing Montelione play, I'm smiling too. And so will you.
- Jack Bowers All About Jazz
"I really enjoyed this one! You will too. I gave it a 'most highly recommended' for those in love with jazz with character." - Dick Metcalf Improvijazzation Nation
Not all attempts to blend jazz with rap are successful. Once in a while, a merger of these genres works. "The Birth Of Hip Bop" by Too Blue Lou And The Groove is one such merger.
"...All the players make it seem as though they're playing for the simple joy of playing - a characteristic present in several songs." - All About Jazz
"A very impressive effort that helps define and stretch the boundaries of today's modern mainstream jazz." - Scott Yanow All Music Guide To Jazz
"Montelione is a lyrical player with a soft touch." - Jon Morgan Cadence
"Ever since rap/hip-hop captured mass public interest, there have been artists who have recognized the social similarities between be-bop and hip-hop and have tried to bring them together musically..." One of them is Lou Montelione, a solid veteran mainstream jazz pianist, who has put together a jazz/hip-hop fusion group called Too Blue Lou And The Groove.
"Each of these musicians is clearly gifted and you can hear that in their solos."
"Too Blue Lou And The Groove is a bunch of talented cats with strong jazz backgrounds..."
- Jazz Improv NY
"A very impressive effort that helps define and stretch the boundaries of today's modern mainstream jazz." - Scott Yanow All Music Guide To Jazz
Discography
1- "Comin' Back Home" on Jazzheads Records. It gets radio airplay on the jazz radio stations.
2- "The Birth Of Hip Bop" release date: August 5, 2008 on Jazzheads Records
Photos
Bio
- Too Blue Lou And The Groove
Introducing a new kind of urban sounding jazz on their debut CD for Jazzheads Records, "The Birth Of Hip Bop." The album is already buzzing among the critics!
Chris Spector from the Midwest Record writes, "... it's a dandy urban party record for when the street crowd has a taste for some up market ambience."
This new music combines a traditional walking bass with thicker, heavier hip hop and funk rhythms. Then add some real blowin' and an occasional rap or scat vocal and there you have it... a brand new genre of jazz. Call it... "HIP BOP!"
Edward Blanco from eJazzNews describes it as "... one interesting session of music...what you'll hear on this recording you've not heard before."
Hip Bop's creator, Lou Montelione is a jazz pianist and recording artist with Jazzheads Records. In a review of his label debut, "Comin' Back Home" which was a mainstream jazz outing, Jack Bowers from All About Jazz writes "... the man plays some serious jazz piano...You may even find yourself glancing at the jacket from time to time to make sure you're not actually listening to one of jazz's "big-name" keyboard artists. That's the sort of persuasive impression Montelione fashions on his debut recording, breezing confidently through song after song with a sure-handed technique and clear-headed conception..."
After the success of "Comin' Back Home" Montelione decided to change course and realize another musical vision which was to merge hip hop music with jazz music in a particular way that remains true to jazz. To make it work he joined with musicians not only well versed in jazz, but who had a contemporary sensibility as well.
Eric Huff is Too Blue Lou And The Groove's saxophonist. His heartfelt, vibrant playing became a leading voice for this new music.
Huff played and arranged for Beyonce Knowles as well as many other top artists such as Gloria Gaynor, Melba Moore, Billy Preston and Kirk Franklin just to name a few. It's no wonder Walter Kolosky from Jazz.com writes "...saxophonist Huff is especially impressive."
Daisuke Abe the guitarist of the band was born in Tokyo. He graduated at the top of his class at the Jazz Course Of Senzoka Gakuen College and received a world scholarship to Berklee where he then received the Louis Belson Award.
Daisuke's lyrical style adds beautifully to the overall sound of Too Blue Lou And The Groove.
Roy Weinberger, the drummer, has played with greats from all genres of music from Bo Diddley to Jaki Byard to Percy Sledge to Slam Steward and has played major venues all over the world.
It is this kind of experience that enabled him to develop a way of combining the different musical genres essential for hip bop music.
Mike Aidoo is a rapper/vocalist and performs with Too Blue Lou And The Groove as a guest artist.
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