Luke Malewicz, a native of Nowa Sol, Poland, moved to Chicago at the age of 11. He showed exceptional promise as a young musician, having started trombone at age 6. After receiving degrees from the Jacobs School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music he returned to Chicago where he currently resides as a freelance trombonist and educator. He teaches at various Chicago area schools and colleges and performs at some of Chicago’s best jazz venues including Andy’s Jazz Club, the Jazz Showcase, and the Green Mill.
Luke is a sought after clinician/guest artist as well. Some of his clinics and guest performances include DePaul University, Michigan State University, Indiana University, Northeastern University, St. Xavier University, Rolling Meadows Jazz Festival, Downers Groove North High School, New Trier High School and Oswego High School. He has performed with Luis Bonilla, Ingrid Jensen, Stefon Harris, David Liebman, Elliot Mason, The Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, the Rob Parton Big Band, Mary Wilson, The Four Tops, The Temptations, and the Grammy Award Winning Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
Among his current projects Luke is the leader of two sought after Chicago based ensembles, the Heritage Quartet and the Heritage Jazz Orchestra. The Heritage Quartet performs mainly adaptations of Polish folk music as well as original compositions inspired by European Jazz and was one of the groups performing at the 2016 Chicago Jazz Festival. The group also tours internationally and has performed to sold out venues in Warsaw and Krakow. The Heritage Jazz Orchestra is a full big band led by Luke that performs throughout Chicago
Luke is also a member of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra and the musical director for Big Bad Bones, which is a four trombone ensemble that brings the energy and intensity of a full big band with just four trombones and rhythm section. Big Bad Bones is under the artistic direction of Luis Bonilla (Vanguard Jazz Orchestra) and tours throughout the United States and Europe.
Luke is an artist and clinician for Yamaha Trombones