Playing electric and upright bass is like speaking a native language for me. Live / recording credits include Amy Grant, Chester Thompson, JD Simo, Rodney Atkins, Mike Reid, Sam Hunter, Rod McGaha, and many more, as well as over 80 musical theater productions.
Excellent reader and improvisor. Music director, bandleader, composer.
lukeeasterling @ gmail . com
The last two years have seen major changes to the world as well as my music career. I am in the process of regrouping and looking to broaden my horizons beyond the world of musical theater, perhaps to land an artist gig. I feel my playing is more mature and tasteful than it has ever been, and I can't wait to see what the future holds.
Opening night of Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol at Emerson Colonial Theater. She was kind enough to stop by and say hi before the show!
Dream come true! "Little Shop" was the very first musical I ever played on bass, and getting to music direct a production has been wonderful! I'm also conducting from the electric bass, and once again running sound FX in real time.
I'm having a blast playing two original scores, for "The Tempest" and "Pericles." Also having way too much fun running sound FX in real time!
So excited about the release of the debut EP from my duo project DREAMLAND. My good friend Eric Esters and I put together some songs that we're proud of. Check it out at the link to the left!
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Had the honor of playing for the debut of Crystal Bowersox's "Trauma Queen" at the Little Brick Theater in Franklin, TN with Studio Tenn. I even got to say some lines!
Lovely show and the kids in this cast are great! Also my first time operating QLab... dangerously fun...
Heading out on the road with these fine players! Going as far as Washington state! We're doing some shows with Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Hilariously campy show but you can never go wrong with the music of Queen! Some amazing vocalists in this cast too
Some of the most fun I've ever had on stage! Playing guitar and piano and leading the band. I also get to interact with the characters some, do some narration, and even sing. @ Nashville Repertory Theater
Thanks to all the great musicians I've had the pleasure of working with over the last year! And slightly less thanks to the mediocre ones!
Here's a short segment on Nashville in Harmony. It's been an honor to play for this organization over the last few years and I can't wait for this Sunday's concert. Oh you might catch a glimpse of yours truly in the video...
http://www.newschannel5.com/news/local-news/nashville-in-harmony-prepares-for-sunday-concert?platform=hootsuite
Well I recently passed the one-year mark since I said goodbye to my day job and dove in to playing bass full time. I've been grateful and humbled by the chance to play with so many amazing players, killer bands, fun and compelling theater projects, and random oddball gigs I could never have predicted. (There may have been eyeliner involved...) A big shout out to all the players in the trenches, and here's to another year... if we survive the winter!
I'm looking forward to all the variety I have on the books. I get to play jazz on Halloween *and* Friday the 13th in November... spooky. And I'm very excited to play at Centennial Park next weekend with Nashville in Harmony. I love playing with them and it'll be fun to warm up the crowd for Shakespeare in the Park. I haven't played at the park since about 2003 I believe.
I'm in the middle of Street Theatre Company's run of "Heathers" and I'm loving it. Always a joy to work with Martha Wilkinson, who was central to two of my other favorite musicals I've performed: "Spring Awakening," which she directed, and "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," in which she played Mrs. Lovett to wide acclaim. Street Theatre's Twitter presence is a great place to find reviews, video, and more info: https://twitter.com/StreetTheatreCo
Playing "Malt Shop" at the Sutler recently with The Saturns. Enjoy!
I love getting to play such a variety of gigs, styles, and genres! Excited for opening night tonight of "Avenue Q" - for anyone who's familiar with that musical, this one is the cleaned-up version (hey, it's a high school production!). For anyone unfamiliar, 3 words: very inappropriate puppets. Then rock n' roll originals and covers with The Saturns. Then tomorrow a video shoot (Carhenge!) for a pop/rock artist. Not to mention some jazz trio gigs, a bluegrass festival, and instructing at a music camp in the upcoming months.
And for a slight change of pace, I acquired a piano student, my first in several years. It's great to get back to the basics!
Happy new year all... I'm enjoying all the variety of music I'm playing and people I'm meeting. Looking forward to playing for "Seussical" with Randy Craft next month. I expect big things from The Saturns (led by Sam Hunter) this year- such a fun gig every time. And I had a blast playing with Nashville in Harmony for their recent holiday show. Also...some of the above may have resulted in a few exciting opportunities... I'll update more when and if anything is confirmed.
Lastly, please stop by and say hi on twitter! twitter.com/luke_easterling
I had a blast doing "Sweeney Todd." It was an honor to work with such a great cast, band, and crew. And the show itself was I think an artistic success. Such a pleasure to play a piece that rewards repeated listening. (Good thing: we did 25 performances.)
And next month I'll be back at good old TPAC for a performance with Nashville in Harmony in Polk Theater. It's their holiday show and promises to be lots of fun.
About a week into the run of Nashville Rep's "Sweeney Todd" revival and having an amazing time. Really a fun show to see or be a part of. The band is backstage out of sight but I have a view of a video monitor- I only wish I could see it "in person!" Follow the link for reviews etc. The 8-piece orchestra tackles the complex score quite well- it's a privilege to be a part.
I'm having a blast playing for "Passing Strange" at Street Theatre Company. http://www.streettheatrecompany.org It's a fun and quite moving show, and it's been a real joy getting to play it. I also enjoyed "Oklahoma!" at Keeton Theatre.
Just got off a short run with country artist Paul Bogart- he's a songwriting phenom so watch out! I'll be trekking to New Mexico for a 4th of July gig with him too.
Still working on that large-scale project...promise! It's right here next to me! Ahhh it takes so long!
This will be my FIFTH year teaching at the wonderful JAM Camp for advanced teen musicians. I'm always amazed by the talent level of these kids.
A couple of recent recordings I played on are available for free listening online.
"Bluerise" EP by Melon and the Mayhem: Listen free and buy here. The song "Tangerines" is especially fun, and I got to play a few "licks" that I like.
HD Live Full Band Rehearsal with Andrew Simple: First 3 videos here
The calendar is starting to fill up! Looking forward to playing Cabaret, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, and Once Upon a Mattress in the next couple of months, and I've enjoyed playing with local artists Rae Soloman and Andrew Mallanik. Oh and in the BBAJ musical, I have a line! First time since I was "Schroeder" in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown at age 16...
My large-scale writing project is making progress in its own halting, slow way. Stay tuned...
Last night we wrapped up the 2013 season at Street Theater Company with our last performance of "Hair in Concert." I also had fun doing "Spamalot" there last month, and the whole year has been a blast. Looking forward to 2014!
Overall I've had a great year of fun gigs and meeting new people. Stay tuned!
I've been playing with Randy Craft on a few gigs- the guy can sing! I just finished up a video shoot/live recording with Andrew Simple, who's been having some great success getting his songs into trailers, TV shows, etc.
Next month I'm participating in the Alumni Showcase at Belmont University, and even filling in at TPAC for a choral performance. Staying busy is a good thing!
A few fun things have been happening recently.
Just got back from a gig with Blessing Offor at VinylFest in Louisville. He's a fantastic vocalist and award-winning songwriter, and plays a mean piano too. I had a great time hanging with him and drummer Mark Ambrosino. Mark is head of Sojurn Records in New York, which is gearing up to release Blessing's album "Roots." I really enjoyed Mark's talk at the conference about his experience as a drummer, his encounters with some musical legends and how his label is trying to revitalize the old long-game, patient, personalized relationship between label and artist under which some of those old legends thrived- while embracing the positive aspects of modern technology (and discarding the sometimes-seedy aspects of the label system of decades past). We had a great time playing in trio mode, and I'll link to the recording of the show if it appears online (I know it exists!).
Next week I'm back at JAM Camp at BGA. I always have fun shepherding my groups of hyper-talented (and just plain hyper) kids through their choices of songs, and always try to expose them to some music that surprises them. Especially since I'm usually assigned at least one "heavy" band. If they want usettling, atonal, dissonant, possibly scary music, I'm happy to oblige.
I'm also working on a larger composition project. Won't go into detail now as it's still in its early stages. But. There's sci-fi. There's Wagner chords. There's double bass drum riffs. Maybe even some differential calculus... we'll see.
From a few months back: Street Theater Company was a winner in a Nashville Scene readers' poll for Best Local Theater Company. I think we had just finished Caroline, or Change when the poll was released, so it was well deserved. I'm sorry to see the end of our production of Spring Awakening; I had an absolute blast playing it.
"Street Theatre's production of 'Spring Awakening' is simply spectacular...heart-pounding presentation of the musical score...a must-see this weekend." -The Examiner, 5/23/2013
Some Nashville papers are gushing about "Spring Awakening" at Street Theatre Company. I've been having a blast playing the show so far, and I'm always glad to see this theater get some of the recognition it deserves. (Plus they mentioned my name, which is always nice.)
"Watching their production of Spring Awakening, one of the best musicals in recent years, is sheer ecstasy...There are so many marvelous moments that multiple reviews would be justified." -ArtsNash, 5/12/2013
"Darkly compelling entertainment at Street Theatre...a welcome changeup from the more traditional sounds of Broadway, and musical director Rollie Mains uses strings and guitars effectively to realize the sounds of teenage yearning." -Nashville Scene, 5/16/2013
Street Theatre Company
Street Theatre Company
Street Theatre Company
Street Theatre Company
Street Theatre Company
Christ Church Cathedral
Battleground Academy
Battleground Academy
Battleground Academy
Jazz Trio [private event]
http://artistecard.com/230trio
with The Chill Band
Christ Church Cathedral
"New Faces Night" with Stephanie Falcone
with Sever
Village Chapel
with Melon and the Mayhem
Alumni Showcase
with Stephanie Falcone
with Stephanie Falcone
with Sever
with Sever
with Sever
with Sever
Street Theater Company
Street Theater Company
Street Theater Company
Street Theater Company
Street Theater Company
Street Theater Company
Street Theater Company
Street Theater Company
Street Theater Company
Street Theater Company
12th and Porter
Street Theater Company
Street Theater Company
Street Theater Company
Street Theater Company
Street Theater Company
with Sever
with Sever
with Sever
at Street Theater Company
at Street Theater Company
at Street Theater Company
at Street Theater Company
with Rae Soloman
with Andrew Mallanik
at Hume Fogg High School
at Hume Fogg high school
at Hume Fogg high school
with Sever
at Street Theater Company
at Street Theater Company
at Street Theater Company
at Street Theater Company
at Street Theater Company
at Street Theater Company
at Street Theater Company
at Keeton Theater
at Street Theater Company
at Keeton Theater
at Street Theater Company
at Street Theater Company
at Keeton Theater
at Keeton Theater
with Sever
Nashville, TN
with Sever
at BGA
at BGA
at BGA
Tennessee Equine Hospital
at Keeton Theater
at Keeton Theater
at Keeton Theater
at Keeton Theater
at Keeton Theater
with Sever
at Keeton Theater
at Keeton Theater
at Keeton Theater
at Keeton Theater
at Keeton Theater
North Carolina Tarheel Opry House
North Carolina Tarheel Opry House
at Street Theatre Company
at Street Theatre Company
The Loveless Barn
at Street Theatre Company
at Street Theatre Company
at Street Theatre Company
at Street Theatre Company
at Street Theatre Company
NM
NM
Year five of my involvement with this great camp.
Children's musical "The Most Amazing Anything of Evertime"
Children's musical "The Most Amazing Anything of Evertime"
Children's musical "The Most Amazing Anything of Evertime"
very talented young songwriter and piano player http://www.ethanbortnick.com
at South bar in Nashville
http://jeffreyjamesmusic.net/#homepage
at BlueBar in Nashville
in-studio performance with Sam Hunter and the TwoTones
at BlueBar in Nashville
at Street Theatre Company http://streettheatrecompany.org
at Street Theatre Company http://streettheatrecompany.org
at Street Theatre Company http://streettheatrecompany.org
at BlueBar in Nashville
at Street Theatre Company http://streettheatrecompany.org
at Street Theatre Company http://streettheatrecompany.org
at Street Theatre Company http://streettheatrecompany.org
at Street Theatre Company http://streettheatrecompany.org
at BlueBar in Nashville
at Holy Trinity Church, 6727 Charlotte Ave. in West Nashville.
at Holy Trinity Church, 6727 Charlotte Ave. in West Nashville.
at BlueBar in Nashville
Andrew Johnson Theater at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center
at Christ Church Cathedral. With Randy Craft
The Gulch
Keeton Theater
Keeton Theater
Keeton Theater
Keeton Theater
Christ Church Cathedral
with The Saturns featuring Sam Hunter
at Soulshine Pizza, Nashville, TN
1907 Division Street, Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 401-9859
with DLT at Carhenge in Nebraska. Where the demons dwell
at Kimbro's Pickin Parlor
Franklin, TN
http://miamibeach100.com
Amazing lineup! Other acts include Andrea Bocelli, Gloria Estefan, Barry Gibb, Flo Rida, Wyclef, Sam Moore from Sam & Dave, and more!
http://notjourney.com
http://www.thesutler.com
Battleground Academy
5th Annual Nashville Outdoor Recreation Festival & Expo
https://www.facebook.com/events/887261921325282/
Battleground Academy
Battleground Academy
Soulshine Pizza, Nashville
with The Whole Tones
Nashville, TN
http://www.thesutler.com
http://artistecard.com/230trio
LA
with the Soul Tone
Whole Foods Cool Springs
at Whole Foods, Franklin, TN
http://www.thesutler.com/
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
at Whole Foods, Franklin, TN
Soulshine Pizza, Nashville TN
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
Centennial Park, Nashville, TN
80s and current covers
www.thejamcamp.com/
http://artistecard.com/230trio
at Whole Foods, Cool Springs
Classic Rock trio
at Whole Foods, Franklin, TN
featuring Sam Hunter-guitar and Chester Thompson-drums
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
pre-show entertainment for Shakespeare in the Park's production of "Henry V"
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
Springfield, TN
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
house band
with Johnathan Yudkin
Springfield, TN
Hendersonville
house band with Joe Murphy
Accompanying student ensemble led by Evan Cobb
at The Country http://thecountrynashville.com/event/the-saturns
at Drifters
http://artistecard.com/230trio
http://www.arringtonvineyards.com
(Widespread Panic cover band)
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
fundraiser at Boswell's Harley Davidson
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
at The Country http://thecountrynashville.com
http://artistecard.com/230trio
http://www.arringtonvineyards.com
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
http://streettheatrecompany.org/15_season.html
Nashville, TN
at 3rd & Lindsley
http://artistecard.com/230trio
at Holy Trinity Community Church
at Holy Trinity Community Church
Multiple Sclerosis fundraiser at Backroads Bar and Grill
at Whole Foods, Franklin TN
at The Country http://thecountrynashville.com
Autism awareness event
featuring Chester Thompson, Sam Hunter, Sam Levine, Jessie Key
at Kimbro's, Franklin, TN
at The Country
at The Country, Nashville, TN
at Kimbro's, Franklin, TN
Foobar, Nashville, TN
Jazz Trio
The Sutler, Nashville, TN
Lebabnon, TN
at The Sutler, Nashville TN
The Country, Nashville, TN
The Sutler, Nashville, TN
at The Country, Nashville, TN
at Puckett's, Leiper's Fork, TN
The Country, Nashville, TN
Soulshine Pizza, Nashville, TN
at The Sutler, Nashville, TN
Whole Foods, Franklin, TN
Saturday March 19th is opening night! Full calendar and other details here: http://nashvillerep.org/chicago-the-musical . Performance times vary.
The Sutler, Nashville, TN
Bowling Green, KY
Mad Donna's, Nashville, TN
The Sutler, Nashville, TN
Backroads Bar and Grill
Knoxville
Soulshine Pizza, Nashville, TN
at BGA
at BGA
at BGA
The Sutler, Nashville, TN
Opening for Forest Fire Gospel Choir
at Hound Dog Commons in East Nashville
Blue Bar, Nashville, TN
The Sutler, Nashville, TN
Festival in Franklin, TN
The Sutler, Nashville, TN
the High Watt, Nashville, TN
Drifters, Nashville, TN
Fontanella Cafe
The Basement East, Nashville, TN
jazz trio The Luke Easterling Group
Bowling Green, KY
The Country, Nashville, TN
Performances at Holy Trinity Community Church
6727 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209
Murfreesboro, TN
Drifters, Nashville, TN
Jazz Trio The Luke Easterling Group
with "Typecast"
The Factory, Franklin, TN
The Basement, Nashville, TN
backroads bar and grill
Fontanella Cafe
Instructor assistant, performer
Performance Friday evening
Kimbro's, Franklin, TN
The Sutler, Nashville, TN
Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute show at The Basement East, Nashville, TN
Meal Ticket, Nashville, TN
Murfreesboro, TN
Bowling Green, KY
Instructor, seminar leader, seminar assistant
The Basement, Nashville, TN
Cookeville, TN
Saffire, The Factory, Franklin TN
Saffire, The Factory, Franklin TN
at The Sutler, Nashville TN
record release for Teny Dony
Nashville Jazz Workshop, Nashville, TN
The 5 Spot, Nashville, TN
Robertson County fair
accompanist for student jazz ensemble
The Springwater, Nashville, TN
Knoxville, TN
preshow for Shakepeare in the Park
Nashville Repertory Theater at Johnson Theater, TPAC, Nashville TN
opening for Gary Allen, Knoxville, TN
Nashville Repertory Theater at Johnson Theater, TPAC, Nashville TN
jazz trio The Luke Easterling Group
Nashville Repertory Theater at Johnson Theater, TPAC, Nashville TN
Nashville Repertory Theater at Johnson Theater, TPAC, Nashville TN
Nashville Repertory Theater at Johnson Theater, TPAC, Nashville TN
Nashville Repertory Theater at Johnson Theater, TPAC, Nashville TN
Nashville Repertory Theater at Johnson Theater, TPAC, Nashville TN
Nashville Repertory Theater at Johnson Theater, TPAC, Nashville TN
Nashville Repertory Theater at Johnson Theater, TPAC, Nashville TN
Nashville Repertory Theater at Johnson Theater, TPAC, Nashville TN
Nashville Repertory Theater at Johnson Theater, TPAC, Nashville TN
at Exit In opening for Count Bass D, Nashville, TN
Adams, TN
Adams, TN
Adams, TN
Adams, TN
Adams, TN
Adams, TN
A Street Theatre Company Youth Production
4th Story Theatre, Nashville, TN
A Street Theatre Company Youth Production
4th Story Theatre, Nashville, TN
A Street Theatre Company Youth Production
4th Story Theatre, Nashville, TN
A Street Theatre Company Youth Production
4th Story Theatre, Nashville, TN
A Street Theatre Company Youth Production
4th Story Theatre, Nashville, TN
A Street Theatre Company Youth Production
4th Story Theatre, Nashville, TN
ht
Franklin, TN
Nashville TN
Nashville, TN
jazz trio The Luke Easterling Group
Polk Theater
The End, Nashville, TN
HTCC
with Special Guests Chester Thompson, Sam Hunter, Jessie Key
Soulshine Pizza, Nashville TN
The End, Nashville
The Country, Nashville
The Crying Wolf, Nashville
The Country, Nashville
Gray's On Main, Franklin, TN
Backroads
Street Corner Concert Series at Street Theatre Company
Street Corner Concert Series at Street Theatre Company
Street Corner Concert Series at Street Theatre Company
Street Corner Concert Series at Street Theatre Company
Manna From Heaven
Manna From Heaven
Manna From Heaven
Manna From Heaven
Manna From Heaven
Manna From Heaven
Manna From Heaven
Bowlling Green, KY
The East Room, Nashville TN
Backroads
5 Spot
The 5 Spot, Nashville, TN
Bowling Green, KY
The Factory, Franklin TN
Street Theatre Company
at Street Theatre Company
at Street Theatre Company
at Street Theatre Company
at Street Theatre Company
at Street Theatre Company
at Street Theatre Company
at Street Theatre Company
Bowling Green, KY
The East Room, Nashville, TN
Clarksville Rivers and Spires Festival
Franklin, TN
Memphis, TN
Chaffin's Barn
Street Theatre Company, Nashville, TN
Franklin, TN
Nashville, TN
Franklin, TN
Expression City, Franklin, TN
Street Theatre Company, Nashville, TN
Franklin, TN
Nashville, TN
Street Theatre Company, Nashville, TN
Class Act Dramatics
Street Theatre Company
Nashville, TN
East Nashville Tomato Fest
Douglas Corner, Nashville, TN
Franklin, TN
Nashville, TN
Nashville, TN
Chaffin's Barn, Nashville, TN
Langford Auditorium, Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Studio Tenn, Franklin, TN
at Douglas Corner, Nashville, TN
Expression City, Franklin, TN
Studio Tenn
Franklin, TN
Academy Park Theater, Franklin, TN
Studio Tenn, Franklin, TN
Chaffin's Barn, Nashville, TN
Street Theatre Company, Nashville, TN
Nashville, TN
Nashville, TN
Tennessee Brew Works, Nashville, TN
Tuscaloosa, AL
Street Theatre Company, Nashville, TN
Broadway Brunch, Nashville, TN
Nashville, TN
Studio Tenn, Franklin, TN
Belmont Black Box Theater
Nashville Children's Theater
Chaffin's Barn
Nashville and Franklin, TN
Bass, keyboards, sound FX designer/operator
Nashville and Franklin, TN
Bass, keyboards, sound FX designer/operator
Nashville, TN
Keeton Theater
Music director, conductor, bassist, sound FX operator
Nashville, TN
Hume Fogg High School
World Premiere of "Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol"
Chaffin's Barn, Nashville, TN
Goodpasture, TN
with Nashville Repertory Theater
Polk Theater, TPAC, Nashville