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Modern
day Renaissance man adding musical chapters to his life
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| MICHAEL
KORB, The Saratogian |
September
15, 2000 |
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| SOUTH
GLENS FALLS -- James Looby's bio reads like one of a fictional
character. Straight out of high school he entered the Navy and
became a trained medical diver, recording 53 saves. While
serving, he also was a part of the Navy's volleyball team. He
went on to graduate cum laude with a degree in physics and
computer science from the University at Albany. While pursuing
his degree at Albany, he was a ski instructor at Gore Mountain.
Hate him yet? Wait, it gets better. |
Looby
moved to Florida to work on his master's degree in ocean
engineering. In Florida he received a research fellowship
sponsored by the Navy Underwater Systems Group and played NCAA
Division I Volleyball.
He then took a year off from studying (and everything else) and
headed to Key West to play saxophone with the Crispy Critters.
In Key West he became engrossed in Latin and Caribbean jazz. Did
I mention he started playing semi-pro beach volleyball while
there?
Then he went to Wyoming to get his Ph.D., where he was promptly
awarded a NASA fellowship and worked on the spatial components
for the Cassini Project, which is now on its way to Saturn.
Make you feel like you haven't done enough with your life? (And
we left stuff out!) Looby now teaches computer science at
Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass.
What's this got to do with anything? Prof. Looby is releasing
his latest CD, ''Live Notes,'' at a party from 5 to 9 tonight at
Jake's Round-up, 23 Main St., South Glens Falls.
Everything you hear on the CD was performed, arranged and
recorded by Looby, including bass, drums, pianos, strings, vibes
and organ. It all was done using either a keyboard or an EWI
(Electric Wind Instrument, essentially an electronic saxophone
capable of anything).
The CD is filled with mellow Latin jazz. Looby also released a
live CD two years ago of big band swing standards from Cole
Porter, George Gershwin, Hoagy Carmichael and Duke Ellington.
Call 761-0015 or try his Web site at www.drlooby.com
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| ©The
Saratogian 2001 |
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