The Jazz Aspen Snowmass Cafe’s Winter Series kicks off Friday. Once again, it brings jazz artists from around the world to Aspen.
Lutalo Olutosin, or "Sweet Lu," is the first artist in this year’s lineup. His sound, a blend of gospel, blues and jazz, is rooted in his childhood.
Olutosin grew up in the South in a deeply religious Pentacostal family. His mother only allowed him to listen to gospel, until, one day, he heard jazz and found a loophole.
"I asked, 'Well, what about songs that are only just music? There’s no words.' She didn’t really have an answer for that,” said Olutosin.
He juggled his music with a 35-year career in the armed forces, retiring in 2015. Olutosin says it was difficult to have a foot in both worlds, but music allowed him to find connection with locals when he traveled overseas. It made him realize just how powerful it was.
"The right music in the right setting can change a person’s heart," he said.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass president and CEO Jim Horowitz says he’s such a huge fan of this year’s JAS Cafe acts, that he can’t pick a favorite.
"It's like if you would say to a parent, 'Which is your favorite child?' It's almost an unfair question," said Horowitz.
Sweet Lu Olutosin performs Friday and Saturday Downstairs at the Little Nell. The JAS Winter Cafe series runs through March, with shows at the Little Nell and the Cooking School of Aspen.
