Luke Soasey

Biography

Luke is an Oregon native — transplanted to the northern Colorado foothills in the spring of 2012 to follow a work opportunity, the lure of adventure, and sunshine. By day he is a member of a dedicated team of engineers working on the next generation of microprocessors. By night (or any other time that seems appropriate for music) he is playing saxophone to express, compose, improve, or perform. Relocating to Colorado meant re-building a network of musical connections and relationships that he had already established after almost two decades in Portland. Now, in and around Fort Collins, he can already be heard performing in a variety of local jazz groups.

From a relatively young age music has been a core element of Luke's life path. Growing up in the country — very close to his paternal grandparents — the roots were planted early: Countless nights of listening to his grandfather's Hammond organ playing, his grandmother's interest in unique stringed instruments (Appalachian dulcimer, steel guitar, and nylon string guitar), and his father's devoted piano playing, singing, and song writing. These experiences undoubtedly shaped and formed what was to come later. After a couple years of basic piano lessons, Luke picked up the saxophone in 5th grade as part of the junior high's basic concert band program. The defining moment, however, was hearing the neighboring high school's stage band at junior high assembly. He knew jazz was the music to feed his soul and there was no turning back.

There is a synergistic balance between Luke's interest in design engineering and music which often plays itself out in unexpected ways. Improvisation, Inspiration, and Creativity. These skills are are of equal value when designing a complex microprocessor or composing a meaningful and lasting melody. They inform and support each other across disciplines. Despite choosing engineering as a "career path" when entering undergraduate study, this never meant a departure from Luke's core love of music. He continued to prioritize and make time for the study of the saxophone and jazz performance. That pursuit has endured and taken different shapes. Starting from his junior high years and extending to today, he continues to learn, seek out, and play great music.

It has been a pleasure for Luke to study with remarkable musicians at various times along his musical journey. This has taken the the form of private lessons, intensive workshops, focused ensemble work, etc... John Gross, Rob Scheps, Charley Gray, Darrell Grant, Allan Jones, Bob Mover, David Valdez, David Friesen, Stefon Harris, and Peter Sommer only name a few...