LOU PARDINI is a Grammy nominated singer/songwriter, keyboardist, and producer who has written, and performed with such world renowned artists as Smokey Robinson, Kenny G, Patti Austin, Stevie Wonder, Peabo Bryson, Chicago, Billy Preston, Larry Carlton, Carlos Santana, Robben Ford, and Jamie Foxx… just to name a few.
Raised in Northern California, Lou moved to Los Angeles shortly after attending the Berklee School of Music in Boston. His first break came in 1987 when legendary Motown artist Smokey Robinson recorded Lou's first song ever published, the number 1 hit "Just To See Her", which won Lou a Grammy nomination for Best R & B song of the year. This song also won Smokey his first Grammy for best R&B vocal. Two months later, Lou followed that by co-writing the number 1 R&B song “I Wonder Who She’s Seeing Now” for the Temptations featuring Stevie Wonder.
Motown was just the beginning. Lou followed that success with another Grammy nominated song, the Top Ten hit “We’ve Saved The Best For Last” which was recorded by Kenny G. He also co-wrote Patti Austin’s “Believe The Children” and “Love Is Gonna Getcha”, produced by Dave Grusin. Other noteworthy collaborations include co-writing the song “Psalms” on Weather Report percussionist Alex Acuna’s debut CD, featuring Lou on vocals and Carlos Santana on guitar. Following that Lou co-wrote the instrumental song “Uncle Al” with Kenny G for Kenny’s “Live” CD which also featured Lou on keyboards.
Lou’s soulful style of singing and writing served him well throughout the ‘90’s as he lent his talents to a wide variety of artists from pop and jazz to such gospel greats as the Multi - Grammy winning Andrae Crouch, Dove award winner Helen Baylor, Phil Driscoll, and members of the legendary Winans family.
In the late ‘90’s, Lou released two solo CD's on the Japanese label JVC/Victor records. These CD’s "A Night To Remember" and "Look The Other Way", greatly expanded Lou’s popularity as a singer/songwriter, especially in Europe and Asia. In 2005, Lou teamed up with artists and friends Kevyn Lettau and Joe Pizzulo to record the live CD "Memories Of Love" at the sold out Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines for Warner Music. The concert featured songs from Lou's two solo albums and was the number 1 ranked CD for eight consecutive weeks at Tower Records and Music One/Asia
Lou also has a written a vast library of music featured on TV and film as a composer and artist, including the soon to be released “Romance and Cigarettes” written and directed by John Turturro, and staring Kate Winslett and James Gandolfini. His songs and vocal performances will also be featured on the critically acclaimed movie “Blue” directed by Ryan Miningham scheduled for release in 2010.
Currently, Lou has just completed producing and collaborating with the popular Norwegian Sony/BMG female artist Kine. This project, which started as a European release, is now gaining major interest from record companies in the U.S. Additionally, in 2009, Lou has been writing with many other new artists including singer/songwriter Judith Hill, who recently stunned a worldwide audience when she sang “Heal The World” at Michael Jackson’s recent memorial concert.
Living near the coast in Los Angeles with his wife Betsyann and dog “DJ”, Lou loves scouting out pick-up games of basketball, running on the beach, and, is known for his cross-continental support of the New York Yankees, Green Bay Packers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish and of course his favorite Los Angeles Lakers.
