Presents

NY Louie & Friends

NY Louie Biography  

New York native, NY (New York) Louie Guzman, was born in the Bronx.  As a member of a music loving family, his grandmother taught him to salsa dance when he was two.  He grew up listening to Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto, Ramsey Lewis, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, the Jazz Crusaders, and James Brown.  While still in elementary school he moved to upstate New York with his family.  The farm that his family purchased in Plattlekill had an old piano in the family room that had been left by the previous owners.  He began playing piano at age nine, initially teaching himself by ear.  Two years later he began playing percussion. As he learned to play, his parents put together the money for Louie to have private lessons. He also sang in choir and preformed with harmony groups through his school years.

His love of Latin music lead him to form and play with bands throughout his youth, including the Latin Soul Sextet. Louie played Latin jazz and Rhythm and Blues in a variety of New York City and up-state New York clubs while still in high school, including; Colgate Gardens, Hunts Point Palace, El Nilo Country Club, Villa Garcia, and the Calderon Country Club.  

After high school, Louie joined the Air Force.  During his years in the Air Force, Louie played with his own group (the Latin Soul Sextet), but also performed with the Air Force ‘Tops in Blues’. The Latin Soul Sextet performed in contests sponsored by the Air Force in the U.S. and Europe. His group was featured in showcases on both continents, and they frequently performed as backup musicians for other performers on tour.  Concerts in Las Vegas, NV and in Europe were recorded live and broadcasted.  Louie has also played with Johnny Pacheco, Monguito Santamaria, the BBC Philharmonic, and locally with the John Lewis Quartet.   

After 21 years in the Air Force, Louie went back to college.  His heart was still in his music, but being a practical man, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education and Training degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  He moved to Albuquerque in 1997 and started getting involved in the local music scene.  After the death of his mentor, Tito Puente, he sponsored a charity tribute to Tito Puente that provided funds for the Hispanic Heritage Committee Youth Scholarship Program.  He also played at the New Mexico Jazz Workshop Jazz Under the Stars, and 50’s Reunion, Albuquerque, Musician’s and Friends (2001 & 2002). His love of children and music, combined with his teaching talents has also allowed him to do workshops at schools.  In September of 2003, Louie and friend, Jeff Kashiwa, did a workshop together for the Polk Middle School music students in Albuquerque, NM.  Later the same night, the two teamed up for NY Louie & Friends’ CD release party, which was also a benefit for the New Mexico Jazz Workshop Youth Education Program.  The two teamed up again in August 2004 to provide an educational opportunity for youth at the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center.  Jeff recorded with Louie on two of the numbers on Follow Me, Follow My Groove, “On Broadway” and “Louie’s Groove”.     

NY Louie & Friends have a loyal fan following throughout the US and have air play on about 80 radio stations nationwide.  This year they are scheduled to play the Santa Fe Wine Festival, the Will Fjerstad Memorial Wine & Art Festival (Durango, CO), the New Mexico State Fair, and more - so return to the gig page often to find out the schedule!

Louie is a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers).