Luke Turner is a saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and educator based in Oregon. Having a deep love for music throughout his whole life, he became enamored with playing saxophone during middle school. In that time, he began playing in the school’s jazz band, which began his journey of delving deep into the jazz idiom. 

An in-demand performer in the PNW, he finds himself playing as both a sideman and leader in a variety of musical settings, from classic and contemporary jazz, to R&B and indie. As a sideman, he has performed with Keith Brown, the Chuck Israels Jazz Orchestra, the Eugene Symphony, BendretheGiant, Torrey Newhart’s Obsidian Animals, Robert Lasilla Nonet, Nathan Poehlke Big Band, and more.

As a leader, he frequently puts on projects showcasing his own compositions and arrangements. In March of 2025, he released his debut album, Rainwalk, which features seven original compositions and one standard. In 2026, he received international recognition with the ISJAC USF/Owen Prize in Arranging for his large ensemble arrangement of “You’re My Everything.” In his music, he strives to show his appreciation for those who have made the music what it is today, while also bringing his own conglomeration of sounds to the table.

Luke received his B.M. in Jazz Studies in 2025 from the University of Oregon, where he returned to begin his Master’s in Jazz Studies and Composition. While attending the UO, he has had the privilege of performing in the Downbeat award-winning Oregon Jazz Ensemble and the JazzArts Oregon Ensemble. Through these groups, he has received the opportunity to perform alongside artists such as Stefon Harris, Melissa Aldana Remy LeBeouf, Braxton Cook, Helen Sung, Francisco Torres, Adam Larson, Rafael Abdallah, and many more. Luke has spent his time in school studying with Idit Shner, Paul Krueger, Keith Brown, Steve Owen, and Joe Manis. 

In addition to performing and writing, Luke regularly teaches private music lessons, directs small and large ensembles at the UO, and coaches student ensembles at the UO’s Jazz Summer Improvisation Camp and their Day of Improvisations.