 Luigi Waites was influenced by drummers such as Buddy Rich, Joe Jones, Louie Belson, and Max Roach. He also became interested in earlier musicians like Chick Webb and Baby Dodds. Today, Luigi is a percussionist and jazz legend and one of Omaha's truly great musical talents.
Luigi Waites has now been providing Nebraskans with great music for over 50 years. He has been active in working with a wide variety of schools K-12 and colleges, in 16 states, and two European tours. One of his main personality traits is his humbleness, despite his many honors and awards. Some of his career highlights have included, performing with jazz singers Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington, his group Luigi Inc. has opened for several musical giants such as Dizzy Gillespie, Jean Luc Ponty, and James Brown, and he has performed/lectured/ taught for many organizations. These are just a few of his many accomplishments. Luigi has also been elected "Nebraska Artist of the Year" by the Nebraska Arts Council and was appointed to serve on the NAC Board.
Luigi Inc. still does regular performances at Mr. Toad's in Omaha's Old Market District. The Omaha-based group is currently in their 21st year of consecutive Sunday night jazz performances.
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