Although a swing-oriented pianist, Lou Stein has always been able to fit comfortably in Dixieland, bop, and commercial settings. His first major association was with Ray McKinley's band in 1942. While in the service, Stein played domestically with Glenn Miller's Army Air Force Band, although he did not go overseas. He gained recognition for his work with Charlie Ventura (1946-1947) and for his most famous composition "East of Suez." After that period ended, Stein became a studio musician but found time to perform and record with the Lawson-Haggart Band, Benny Goodman, Sarah Vaughan, the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, Louie Bellson, Red Allen, Coleman Hawkins, and Lester Young, in addition to recording a few albums as a leader. In later years he played with Joe Venuti (1969-1972), Flip Phillips, and recorded his own 1994 album for Pullen. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi