By Phil Whipple,Special to Encore

AUBURN – Aaron Hurwitz, known affectionately by friends and family as “Professor Louie,” has an impressive musical resume. The former member of The Band now tours the nation with his own blues band, Professor Louie & The Crowmatix, playing a mix of blues, rock, soul and folk.

The band will perform at Auburn’s Midnight Blues Club and Restaurant Sunday, June 12, as part of the 2005 Sunday Night Blues Series.

Hurwitz worked with The Band from 1985 to 1999, playing on and co-producing three of the group’s albums. He plays the Hammond organ and the accordion, and is an extraordinary vocalist.

He honed his skills early on while playing with The Mighty Gospel Giants of Brooklyn. He also toured and recorded with the group Mercury Rev on its critically acclaimed CDs, “Deserter’s Song” and “All is Dream.”

Professor Louie also produced two CDs with Ireland’s Four Men and A Dog, and played Hammond organ, piano and accordion with Graham Parker on his new CD, “Deepcut To Nowhere.”

Joining Hurwitz in Professor Louie & The Crowmatix are percussionist/vocalist Marie Spinosa, drummer Gary Burke, bass player Frank Campbell, veteran guitarist Bobbie Van Detta and guitarist Josh Colow. The group is based in Woodstock, N.Y. Spinosa, known by the band as Miss Marie, is from Brooklyn, N.Y., and is an accomplished singer, songwriter and percussionist. She toured the college circuit with her own group before moving to upstate New York, where she eventually became a member of The Crowmatix.

Spinosa co-wrote many of the original songs on four of the band’s CDs; “Flyin’ High,” “Jam,” “Over The Edge,” and “Century Of The Blues.”

Burke is an accomplished drummer who has played on gold, platinum and Grammy Award-winning albums. He has played with such artists as Bob Dylan, Joe Jackson, Jesse Winchester and Graham Parker. Burke now devotes his time to recording and touring with The Crowmatix.

Campbell played bass with the great Rick Danko/Levon Helms duo tours of the 1970s and early 1980s. From there he moved on to play with legendary folk artist Steve Forbert. After relocating to Austin, Texas, Campbell worked with Asleep At The Wheel for 10 years in the studio and on the road. Following that stint he returned to Woodstock to join The Crowmatix.

Van Detta has played on several studio recordings and participated in countless live performances. Besides his talents on guitar, his voice has a crowd-pleasing warmth.

A diverse and seasoned player, Van Detta complements The Crowmatix with his unique style.

Colow, the newest member of Professor Louie & The Crowmatix, has toured the United States and Europe with The Kane Brothers, Jesse Winchester and with his own group.

His studio credits include working with Livingston Taylor and Artie Traum. He is an in-demand guitarist and a native of Woodstock.

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