Lutalo Olutosin [pronounced O-la-TO-sin] was born in East Chicago, Indiana. Raised during early life in Gary, Indiana, Lutalo (Lu) moved to the South East in the mid 1970’s. Influenced heavily by a family filled with Gospel singers and musicians, he followed suit until hearing an Al Jarreau song on the radio. Everything changed, especially his approach to listening, judging, and singing the music that inspired him.
During a career in the US Military that was sprinkled with performances in Jazz, as well as R&B bands and musical stage productions, across the South Eastern US, he embarked on a solo career in 2002. Convinced by the respectful nods of major jazz critics and musicians attending his performances, Lu knew he had something special. As fate would reveal itself, a tremendously talented quartet of musicians agreed with Lu’s assessment and the “Sweet Lu Quintet” was formed in 2008.
Lu brings a Soulful and Dynamic energy to every song that is nothing less than hypnotically mesmerizing. While developing his own style of delivery to Jazz standards, the influences of great artist like Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Al Jarreau and Eddie Jefferson resonate comfortably in his smooth rich multi-octave voice.
In his freshman release, Tribute To Greatness, he teams up with jazz pianist and producer Louis Heriveaux, bassist Kevin Smith, saxophonist Winfield Gaylor, and composer/arranger Henry Connerway III on drums. “We had so much fun putting this project together it was like magic….as if every note and lyric had a special significance to each one of us.”