Soulful Melodies and Smooth Horns

Written by: Jennifer Ward

Luke Waldron is not only a singer-songwriter but also a saxophonist, using music to portray his emotions, working to create something important.

Waldron, who grew up in Baldwin, New York, began his music journey in private music lessons, as well as church performances. From piano lessons to children’s choir, to picking up the saxophone in the fourth grade, Waldron has always been involved in music.

According to his Spotify profile, Waldron believes music is the universal language, based on human emotion. He channels this in his songwriting process, in which he states there are two different methods.

“The first method is I’m super inspired and emotionally charged, I create a song that dictates how I feel in that moment and creates something,” said Waldron. He described how when working on a new song, he can either write from his current state of mind, or he can focus on the composition. He said, “One ways emotion, the other way is not really emotional, it’s more technical, strategic, that type of thing.”

When it comes to creating, Waldron makes sure not to put himself into a box with his sound, not trapping himself in a specific genre. He states he focuses on creating sounds that reflect how he feels in that moment. “Genres kind of difficult because it’s always subjective,” said Waldron. “I really focus a lot on the composing and what emotions I feel or want.” However, he still leans more towards jazz fusion and rhythm and blues (R&B). “There’s emotions attached to that kind of music, you have a lot more freedom.”

Photo by: Dj Fralin

When creating music, Waldron tends to gravitate towards a park near his home to “disconnect” from everything. He also does his best to attend other shows as well for inspiration. “I think inspiration from other people is really important, so I make sure I go to concerts for people who are really killing the game right now, and also people I look up to. You know?”

Although he’s been playing the saxophone since childhood, Waldron officially joined the music scene in 2022 with his single, “How Long.” He stated releasing the song was a “great official start of the journey in a way that’s on paper, traceable.”

Since then, Waldron has dropped an Extended Play (EP) entitled “New Day” and a live album straight from a performance in his backyard, which he calls “The Backyard Kickback,” with the album name being “a love suite.” Along with the album, a live music video version is also released from the performance. “People came to my backyard, and they were sitting on the floor, it was very homey, very chill vibe. It was lit,” he said. “Playing in that environment with all the energy and good vibes that were part of the performance itself was just really…I don’t think anything can top it, honestly.”

Waldron may be just starting to make a name for himself, but this is only the beginning. He’s expressed how in the future he would like to collaborate with artists like Kendrick Lamar, playing at Tiny Desk, and being part of an album that wins a Grammy. He also stated how he draws much of his inspiration from artists who came before him. “The history of this music and how so many people have made it is such a huge inspiration to me, and a big inspiration for me to keep going.”

When asked what separates him from other artists, Waldron’s answer was simple. “I’m me and they’re them,” he said. He highlighted how there are “hundreds of millions of people” interested in his genre, and he ensures to maintain his creative space to help those people find him.

Waldron hopes to continue his dream, and encourage others as well. “For anyone in the process of pursuing a message that they can only see, I’d say it’s very much possible. You wouldn’t have the vision if you weren’t also completely overqualified to bring it to fruition,” he said. “I’m rooting for you and I’m rooting for your success story, and I’m really excited for everything that’s going to happen. All the good things and how you’re going to become the person you’re supposed to be, do what you’re supposed to do, and have what you’re supposed to have.”

Link to Luke's Music

Luke Waldron

Soulful Melodies and Smooth Horns

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