Arts & Entertainment

Q&A: Louie Bello, Sumner School Music Teacher's Album Release Concert on Saturday

Louie Bello's album "long way home" has "lots of fun beats and soulful lyrics and vibes."

 

Sumner School music teacher Louie Bello lives in Hyde Park, grew up in Jamaica Plain, and describes himself as a "lifelong Boston kid," and he's having an album release concert on Saturday, June 15 at the Oyster Bar in Quincy at 7:30 p.m.

Bello spoke with Patch about his album, teaching music, his musical influences and more.

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Patch: What school do you teach at in Roslindale? For how long?

Bello: I am Director of Music at the Charles Sumner Elementary School in Roslindale. I have been there for six years.

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Patch: What's your favorite thing about being a music teacher?

Bello: I really love being able to pass on my life and music knowledge to these kids. It's great to see them succeed in and out of school during the time I have been with them. Some of these city kids don't have the opportunities that suburban kids have so it makes me work harder to expose them to the good things in life.

Patch: And your album release party is on Saturday night at the Oyster Bar in Quincy starting at 7 p.m., please describe your new album.

Bello: The new album is called "long way home" it's a labor of love that takes you on a journey of relationships and life. Lots of fun beats and soulful lyrics and vibes. A little bit for everyones taste In music.

Patch: How does being a music teacher affect your personal music?

Bello: I think being a music teacher expands my network in a positive way. I have met so many people during my teaching career that have affected my solo career as a writer and performer. The kids alone have inspired so many moves I have made in my career in my songwriting and performance aspirations. Having the summer off allows me to travel to L.A. more frequently to write and produce. 

Patch: What kind of music do you listen to? Who are your musical inspirations?

Bello: I listen to everything from pop to jazz to rock and opera. I really like country songwriters. I think they tell stories like no other. My big influences growing up were Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Led Zepplin, Chicago to name a few. I think that's why I am able to write in such a wide genre for other artists.

Patch: How can someone purchase your album?

Bello: My past albums are all on ITunes and on www.louiebello.com. My newest release will be available on my website as well. 

Patch: Anything else you'd like to share?

Bello: I just wanna thank all the fans for their support. I'm blessed to enjoy what I do for a living.


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