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M/A Coverstory:
The Journey of Brooklyn Based
Musician Luke Waldron
Manhattan Avenue Magazine| Jan 12, 2026
Luke Waldron operates at the intersection of music, culture, and commercial relevance. With a sound rooted in intention and restraint, his work demonstrates a clear understanding of how music functions within broader creative ecosystems - from brand alignment to cultural positioning. As the industry continues to value artists who can move fluidly between artistry and impact, Waldron represents a measured, forward-facing voice shaping the next phase of contemporary music.
Photographer: Simi Vijay
Q&A
Q: Let’s dive into the beginnings of your journey with music, when did you first pick up the Saxophone and how were the early stages learning to play?
A: ​I started playing saxophone in 4th grade at Shubert Elementary School. In my elementary school like many public schools I got to pick my top 3 options for the instrument I wanted to play. I really cannot explain why but saxophone was my first choice. I was drawn to it. I am grateful for my music teacher who was so nice to me, and gave me my first choice! Most kids were not that lucky.
In the beginning stages of playing I was blessed to have parents who invested into private lessons at the start, so I was learning classical saxophone for the first 4 years of playing. It was challenging for a while but with consistency and hours of daily practice things started to come together. My private lesson teachers did not only help me learn to play but they also showed me a strategy for learning that I have since applied to many areas of my life outside of music, and I still use today.
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Q: What was the first moment where you really felt seen with your music?
A: The first moment where I really felt seen with my music was when I played my album release show. It was for my newest album "a love suite" (out now on all streaming platforms). There were a lot of people there to support and who actually listened to the album! I performed my song "Never Stop" and the audience sang along with me. It was one of the moments I have dreamed of since I was a kid and to experience it was a dream come true!
Q: How do you protect your creative spirit in a city that never really stops watching or asking for more? What’s a good example of your creative process?
A: I protect my creative spirit by first & foremost understanding who/where my source comes from. As a creative person it is very easy to fall into comparison. Social media promotes an environment where everyone shares their good moments and hides the bad. How I protect my creative spirit is by only following those who inspire me and creativing/collaborating as much as possible. I am never lacking creativity, new ideas, or perspectives because my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ is my source for these things. With access to this infinite source it really opens up unlimited possibilities.
The creative process for me is usually 1 of 2 options. Option 1 is based solely from inspiration and emotion. A melody pops in my head, it could be a bass line, a drum groove or a saxophone melody. I record it on my voice memos on my phone & leave it there for a couple days. After a while I go back to it and see how I feel about it. If I feel like I can use it, I expand on it, add the other instruments and compose a song. Or option 2, I create a melody on my saxophone and write a song all in one sitting. I studied at Berklee College of Music & graduated with a Jazz Composition Degree. At school, I learned this very systematic way to compose. It is always good to look at it more like a system versus just being limited to create when you are inspired to. Both options are important to me and I do not think I really do one more than the other. The creative process is messy and beautiful at the same time and I love it!
Q: What’s your favourite thing about being a musician?
There are a lot of things I love about being a musician, but if I had to narrow it down my favourite thing about being a musician is playing shows! The energy transfer is like no other. When I am playing I get to exchange energy and emotions with the crowd listening. Whether I am performing my own original music or performing covers of songs, the energy from the crowd is honestly one of my favorite things! When people listen to music they are listening to feel some emotion or they listen to feel heard and seen. As a musician I get the privilege to create spaces for people to do just that!
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Q. What’s the most important lesson music and your Saxophone has taught you?
A: The most important lesson music and my saxophone has taught me is that you can literally do anything you put your mind to if you're willing to work consistently at it overtime. There were so many songs I wanted to play that I initially thought were too difficult for me. Anything from John Coltrane and Kenny Garrett solos, to the J. Rueff Sonate but when I broke it down into manageable pieces & consistently worked at it, overtime the thing I could not do I mastered. This lesson has translated to so many other areas of my life. When I feel like I can't do something, I remember the times in the past when I was able to do something I previously thought I couldn't. In 2021, I launched my own consulting company, and as I face the challenges of bringing my vision to fruition, through different ventures outside of music, I am reminded of that principle. Applying this concept, we have helped several people bring their dreams to reality.
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Q: With the 2025 Met Gala right around the Corner, the theme being “Superfine: Tailoring black style” It honors the creativity, resilience, and spirit woven into Black culture. When you think about your music and the way you present yourself to the world, how do you feel you’re carrying forward that legacy - and shaping it in your own way?”​
A: When I think about my music I think about the legacy I am a part of. The creatives who really took risks to make what they believed could happen come to reality. Their risks are what brought the fruit that I can now proudly take part in. When it comes to THE culture, it's more natural than we perceive. I think due to social media & the idea of curation, there can be this pressure to have an overly intentional approach toward creative endeavours. For me, I create from a place of honest, transparent & vulnerable life. My music is a reflection of how I see the world, how I see myself. And I believe the greats before me did exactly that. I am conscious of the legacy I am a part of, in the aspect of knowing my history and where I am headed. How I shape it in my own way is to be my most authentic self, and create from my experience. I believe by doing that I will be able to connect with the culture in the way I am supposed to! ​​​
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