Luke Leavitt

About

Musical Style: Straight Ahead, Ambient, Thru-Composed, Rhythmic Luke Leavitt is a Denver native whose love for straight-ahead jazz is matched by a seeking spirit that embraces the joy, healing and adventure found in diverse styles ranging from ambient, free jazz, minimalism, afrobeat, and sound art. Having toured nationally with his own groups, Luke has also played with several national and international figures in jazz, including Arun Luthra, Reggie Workman and Hugh Ragin. His most recent release, Cruel Optimism, is a trio offering of mostly original music, with a nod towards such diverse luminaries as Cole Porter and Steve Lacy. Recently, Luke has teamed up with tenor saxophonist Ian Skaronea to bring to life a series of atmospheric tone poems that balance the folksy and the experimental. Skaronea is an in-demand soloist and educator in Denver, who has also worked in New York City. When in New York, Ian performed at Birdland, Smalls, and Smoke, as well as Avery Fisher Hall. In NY, he was also actively involved in the recording of Pete Malinverni’s “Good Shepherd Suite” live at Symphony Space.