A native of the Upstate New York jazz scene, bassist Lou Smaldone started his formal education in music at Schenectady County Community College where he studied trombone with Bill Meckley.  He graduated from that program and transferred into the music program at The Crane School of Music at Potsdam College.  There he studied trombone with Mark Hartman and jazz improvisation with Bret Zvacek.  He also studied acoustic bass with Dick Stephen.

After graduating from Potsdam, Lou spent a year playing in the Capital Region before moving to NYC in 1998.  He lived in the Upper West Side of New York where he played mostly at jam sessions at friends places and at venues such as Cleopatra’s Needle and St. Nick’s Pub.  After five years, Lou decided to return to the Albany area.  Since his return, he has shared the stage with jazz greats such as Joe Magnarelli, Ralph Lamama, Jerry Weldon, Mark Vinci, and Jon Gordon.  While there he studied jazz bass with Joe Fonda and classical technique with Jeff Herchenroder.

Lou currently resides in the town of Central Bridge, NY.  Living Upstate, he has played with local favorites such as Keith Pray, Lee Russo, and Joe Barna.  He has also maintained a long-standing friendship with vibraphonist Nick Mancini, whom he attributes to be a major influence on his musical life.