I was first introduced to Luke Winslow King at the New Orleans jazz 
festival a couple of years ago on a recommendation from Greg Luzianne (in his new Saints suit on the left). We saw him play in the paddock and I remember it being an enjoyable but not overly memorable set.
His new album “I’m Glad Trouble Don’t Last Always” is thoroughly memorable. The 2 songs that booked the album are my favorites – the opener “On My Way” and the closer “No More Crying Today”. Both have all my favorite elements – great slide guitar, well constructed and great sounding guitar solos, good songwriting and an interesting rhythm.
Luke is originally from Cadillac, Michigan and formed the Winslow-King Blues Band at the age of 16. He earned a diploma from the renowned Interlochen Arts Acadmey, where he majored in jazz guitar.
He first visited New Orleans at age 19 and stayed because of an unfortunate situation – his car was stolen from Ursuline Street in the Treme while parked overnight. It was completely full of the band’s instruments. While recovering from the theft Luke fell in love with the city and now calls it home. Here’s a video of him playing music while riding around the French Quarter in a carriage – part of a great series of local musicians playing music on Sunday afternoons.
After recording his first self-titled debut album in 2007, he continued paying his dues, busking on Royal Street during the day and working in the clubs on Frenchman Street at night.
In 2008, Luke recorded ‘Old New Baby’ mostly live at Preservation Hall in New Orleans. He learned gospel and jazz standards accompanying John Boutté, picked up bottleneck slide guitar watching blues maestro Roberto Luti, performed in John Sinclair’s Blues Scholars, and immersed himself in the trad. jazz songbook while playing with Ben Polcer and The Loose Marbles Jazz Band. During this time he was also a member of Meschiya Lake’s Little Big Horns and is featured on her album Lucky Devil.
Some deep trivia: Luke was an extra in Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day movie as a child.