Louis' primary musical influence is the classic organ trio sound pioneered by Hammond organists such as Jimmy Smith, Groove Holmes, and Jimmy McGriff. Their sound crossed the lines between blues, R&B, and Jazz, as has his career. Before moving to Portland in 1986, Louis played/and or recorded with many bay area standouts, including Bruce Conte (Tower of Power), Jules Broussard (Ray Charles, Van Morrison, and Santana) Bobby Forte (B.B. King), Tricky Lofton (Count Basie), and Cornelius Bumpus (Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan). Louis has recorded and co-produced four cds with the Paul DeLay Band, and has toured throughout the U.S. and Europe, including major blues festivals in Monterey, New York, L.A., Norway, and Belgium.