Luke Winslow-King is a guitarist, singer, composer, and lyricist known for his slide guitar work, and interest in pre-war blues and traditional jazz. Winslow-King’s work consists of an eclectic mix, taking in delta-folk music, classical composition, ragtime, and rock and roll; juxtaposing original songs with those from a bygone era. Think of an exuberant, New Orleans version of Randy Newman, with a speakeasy cool and jazzy elegance.
Whether solo, or with a band, Winslow-King offers an original sound that is both rustic and elegant. He delivers energetic and dynamic performances, with his burgundy voice and versatile guitar playing. He may be technically proficient, but he's never precious.
LWK, originally from Cadillac, Michigan, moved to New Orleans by chance in 2001. During a decade in New Orleans, he has collaborated with a revered list of local musicians, including: John Boutte, “Washboard” Chaz Leary, and Paul Sanchez.
Performing years of weekly gigs on Frenchmen Street, LWK has honed his sound and earned respect as leader among the young traditionalists, while playing to countless vacationers making musical pilgrimages to New Orleans. Outside the Crescent City, accompanied by singer/washboard-player/sweatheart Eshter Rose and bassist Cassidy Holden, the trio has performed festivals, jazz halls, dive bars, listening rooms, barns, theatres, and arenas across the US and Europe.
LWK came to Louisiana in the fall of ’02 at age 19 with Earthwork Music founders Seth Bernard and Daniel Kahn presenting: ‘From California to the New York Island’ the songs and stories of Woody Guthrie. After only a few days in New Orleans, Winslow-King’s car – filled to the brim with a bands worth of instruments – was stolen while parked overnight on Ursulines Street. It was during the two or three weeks that he stuck around trying to recover his vehicle and instruments that he fell in love with the city that he now calls home. He enrolled in the music theory and composition program at the University of New Orleans in the spring of ’03 and was awarded an ambassador scholarship to study Czech classical music at St. Charles University in Prague that summer.
Back in New Orleans, Winslow-King learned gospel and jazz standards accompanying John Boutte, bottleneck guitar from blues maestro Roberto Luti (formerly of The Washboard Chaz Blues Trio), and traditional jazz tunes playing with The Loose Marbles Jazz Band. He began paying his dues busking on Royal Street in the day and working regularly at the clubs on Frenchman Street at night.
In New York City, he was employed as a music therapist by the Institutes of Applied Human Dynamics in the Bronx, and held a music teacher’s position at the La Velle School for the Blind. While in New York, Luke studied composition privately and recorded with Grammy nominated avant-garde composer “Blue” Gene Tyranny, and attended Jack Hardy’s legendary songwriter’s circle.
Official Website: Luke Winslow-King Online
