LOU HOLTZMAN next to the 1968 vintage NEVE 8081
a little bit of history…
My father and mother were professional singers and my love of music started there. My father had a Webcor tape recorder in 1955 so at the tender age of 6, I was his machine operator.
I was a drummer from the age of 12-27 playing in my various groups on Long Island and in Manhattan, but soon realized that my talents were on the other side of the glass capturing performances on tape.
Inheriting an old tenement building that has been in my family for 4 generations taught me how to make and fix things. I naturally wanted to utilize the real estate that was available to me for my recording career so I undertook the task of building my first room.
As the years went on I realized that this was my calling and that I would be in this field for the duration.
LOU HOLTZMAN next to the mighty fully automated HARRISON Series TEN B
from 1972 to present days…
1972
Opened EastSide Sound as a Sole Proprietorship Business.
November 1972 to August 1975
Constructed 4 track studio, engineered and produced various artists.
September 1975 to October 1979
Rebuilt and expanded EastSide Sound to an 8 Track Scully studio.
December1979 to 1981
Together with Richard Bittner collectively lost our minds and our wives (thank God!) building a real recording studio by ourselves. Had to demolish 2000 Sq. Ft and live like the dogs we were. We were young and stupid but we loved it. I always built and wired everything by myself, but now I had the Master Richard Bittner in hell with me.
1981
Opened EastSide Sound Co.Inc.
August 1989 to February 1993
I opened 98 Allen Opco, Inc. DBA EastSide Sound. Totally upgraded to state of the art recording facility with 48 tracks and the mighty Harrison SeriesTen B: the first delivered Mac-based console on earth. That is Mac one in our house!
March 1993 to September 2000
Formed partnership with Yaron Fuchs. Studio upgraded to 2 more rooms and 2 principles for diverse tasks in the recording and music field.
September 2000
Sadly after 30 years I have closed EastSide Sound Studios. For a while I have relocated my productions to the high ceilings-sunlight recording facility LoHo Studios.
June 2002- September 2022 The new EastSide Sound is complete and open for business
September 2022
Andres and Nico Pollack acquire all assets and intellectual property to continue operating as EastSide Sound.
LOU HOLTZMAN proudly showing one of his beloved HAFLER amplifiers
some credits…
I have been blessed with working with some of the worlds finest musicians such as Jon Lucien, Tommy Flanagan, Grady Tate, Norman Hedman, Steve Torre, Ray Drummond, Cedar Walton, Will Lee, Kenny Drew Jr, Robin Eubanks, Duane Eubanks, Louis Hayes, Chico Freeman, Kenny Barron, Randy Brecker, Art Farmer, Mark Carey, Frank Foster, Alex Foster, Horace Tapscott, T.M. Stevens, Lou Soloff, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Don Pullen and the list goes on and on and on…
I have worked on the live music circuit with Jon Lucien, I have done major BUDWEISER BudFest Concerts as the chief house engineer for shows during the 1982-1983 season with “Mtume” covering his 2 platinum hits “Juicy Fruit” and “You-Me and He” on Elektra records. These shows had an audience of 20.000 plus for attendance nightly.
I have lectured for college students, have been on Jazz panels for ASCAP… I can spin my fingers in 2 opposite circles at the same time.
Enough already!!! ;-))