Holder of 10 DownBeat music awards, including Best Jazz Instrumental Soloist, pianist Luke Marantz of Dallas, Texas was also selected as the Brubeck Institute Summer Jazz Colonist two years in a row. From a family of professional musicians, Luke has himself played professionally since junior high and is a member of the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts jazz combo and ensemble. He received a full scholarship to Berklee School of Music’s six-week program and to the University of North Texas Summer Jazz Vocal and Combo Workshop. In 2008, Luke was awarded a full scholarship to the Skidmore Jazz Institute. He plays post-bop/modern style and feels “comfortable in most any jazz setting,” he says. His plans include attending college in New York where he wants to study as a jazz piano performance major. Luke is 17.