MEN FROM SMINCK
History | Biographies
Men from Sminck is a contemporary jazz project, the result of a collaboration between Israeli icon, songwriter, producer, Emmy award winning composer Misha Segal, and one of the most sought after sax players in the world, American icon “Blue” Lou Marini. As the band name and their credits imply, these two don't take anything too seriously—except music.
The Prequel: The year is 1972. Lou, at the time a member of funk rock group Blood, Sweat and Tears, toured with the band to Tel Aviv. There they were interviewed on Israel’s national television. An interviewer was needed who could translate for the audiences the nuances of the English spoken by the band, as well as someone who understood the music well enough to communicate an appreciation of it to the viewers, as well as someone who was in the public eye enough that he would attract viewers himself. There was only one person who fit that description, an impulsive, rather eccentric young punk who, in five short years, had helped lead the revolution of Israeli pop culture, including developing the audience’s appetite for modern music. With an inherent aptitude for orchestral composition, also heavily influenced by jazz, The Beatles and Elton John, this raging artist turned Israeli music on it ears. Known aptly as The Wunderkind, his real name: Misha Segal.
Following the interview, Misha sat down at the piano and started playing Thelonius Monk’s ‘Round Midnight. Lou joined in with the flute and they continued their conversation about music. They quickly became pals. Lou stayed with Misha in Tel Aviv and then offered Misha a place to crash if he was ever in the States.
Later that year, Lou got a phone call.
“Hey, Lou, it’s Misha, from Israel, remember me?”
“Of course, man, how you doin’?”
“Great, man, great. Listen, I’m in London, was going to music school and I’m ready to blow this joint. Not sure I want to go back home just yet, though. Offer to hang with you still open?”
“Sure man! When will you be here?”
“In about 12 hours, I’m at Heathrow now.”
“Straight ahead, come on over!
In the next two months, a friendship was forged that would see the musicians through their next decades: bands, projects, awards, marriages, opposite ends of the country, the world and the industry, but they remained brothers.
Fast forward to the early 2000s: After a night of performing with James Taylor to a packed house at the Universal Amphitheatre, Lou spends the night at Misha’s beautiful house in the hills. He brings Lou down to his studio and shows him some music he’s been working on between film projects. It’s a brand of contemporary jazz that incorporates elements of smooth, groove and funk, and is so visually inspiring it comes as no surprise its author has spent the last two decades bringing film to life with his music.
“Hey, Meesh, that’s some funky stuff. Mind if I lay something down?”
“You kidding? It’s about time!”
So Lou laid down some saxophone tracks.
And the two saw it was good.
Not just good…but out of this world.
Thus was born Men From Sminck…..
|
Known predominantly in the United States as the lauded composer behind "the other” Phantom of the Opera, Misha Segal was born in Haifa, Israel, weaned on jazz (courtesy of his father, a boxing referee and jazz enthusiast, friend of Louis Armstrong), raised in Tel Aviv and spearheaded the cultural revolution in his native country.
Misha’s illustrious career includes several #1 pop hits in Israel along with having written for the Israel Philharmonic and Israel Chamber Ensemble; and in the United States, producing Luther Vandross’ first commercial release (“Georgy Peorgy”), as well as Phyllis Hyman, Nancy Wilson, and Randy Crawford; arranging for Maynard Ferguson and Dave Grusin; two Emmy nominations and one Emmy award, scoring Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon, the New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking; endorsements by Quincy Jones and Bob James, heavy rotation of his jazz albums, Zambooka (featuring Freddie Hubbard and Chick Corea) and Connected to the Unexpected, and ongoing work in the record production, television and film industries. |
It’s been said a person can be described by the company he keeps. When wind player Lou Marini, Jr. is introduced on stages and recording projects worldwide, it’s amidst luminaries like James Taylor, Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Buddy Rich, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Doc Severinson, Blood Sweat & Tears, Steely Dan, Woody Herman, Steve Tyrell, the Rolling Stones, and the Dan Akroyd and John Belushi cult phenomenon, The Blues Brothers, born out of Saturday Night Live, where Lou’s signature wailing sax is imitated to this day.
Not only is Marini one of the most sought after band members on Earth, he is a leading man in his own right, as evidenced by critical acclaim—“The focal point of the group is Lou Marini...he gives the band most of its colors and shadings and provides it with a strongly melodic lead voice....” John S. Wilson, NEW YORK TIMES—as well as audiences on their feet proclaiming “Blue Lou! Blue Lou! Blue Lou! We love you!” |
