
Professional drummer based in New York City. Available for high-quality live drum tracking as well as electronic drum programming. I am currently using the latest version of Pro Tools so I am available for work on cloud collaboration projects as well. I have over 20 years of experience on the instrument and a degree in Audio Engineering.
“Markham’s polystylistic percussing belies an interest in all sorts of non-jazz topics”
— Dave Wayne (All About Jazz)
It is true to say that Luke Markham’s path has not been that of the typical “Jazz Musician”. After years of private studies with mentor Blake Fleming (The Mars Volta, Dazzling Killmen, Laddio Bolocko) during his time at SUNY Oneonta, Markham decided to forego an institutional performance education. Instead, he turned his sights to diving headfirst into the thriving music scene of New York City.
Since relocating to Brooklyn in 2012 Luke has continued his private studies with top local players and built a playing career that has taken him across the United States and Europe performing the gamut of musical styles and genres.
Luke’s deepest passion has remained improvised music. But his fascinations have also extended to production and composition. His drum set playing has been described as having a “goading, teasing, driving propulsion” (Carol Banks Weber, axs.com).
Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.
Credits
82 Reviews - 12 Repeat Clients
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Luke is just too good for the internet, but while we rely on tech and signal to create our art, I'm grateful my computer can connect with a drummer/musician as brilliant and as versatile as Master Luke Markham. Thanks Luke! (and Soundbetter too)
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Incredibly talented and a pleasure to communicate with.
Highly recommend Luke! - check_circleVerified
Few humans can take direction via DM or text better than drum master Luke. He's a patient Jedi warrior and we've been getting some ridiculous sounds from his space to my console.
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Stellar job as always! Luke was super adaptable and precise with this track. We took the song in a different direction than expected and this young man was along for the ride. 10 out of 10 would recommend!
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Luke did an incredible job executing this project! He provided me with options, was communicative in every step of the process, and contributed to the creative elements of the song. Luke's drumming is thoughtful and unique. On top of all that, he delivered clean files very quickly—I can't wait to get him on my next project!
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If you want to have live drums on a track, proffesionally played and recorded - look no further.
I can highly recommend Luke. It has been a real pleasure working together and I am extremely pleased with his services. The end result has been great, the process has been easy, the communication seamless and I've felt "safe" working with him. The tracks are both professionaly played and recorded. I will definitely collaborate with Luke again.
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Lukes playing elevates every song he plays on. Highly recommended!
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Luke is a skilled session player with attention to detail and a genuine interest in nailing the right part for the song. Luke was very receptive to feedback in terms of how I thought certain drum parts should sound. We also discussed drum tuning, mics, cymbals in advance of the recording. Overall, this was a great experience and I look forward to working with Luke again in the near future. Highly recommended!
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And on the ninth day ... SoundBetter.com gave us remote studio drummer extraordinaire ... MASTER LUKE MARKHAM. Help your music he will ....
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As much as his ability and sonic prowess continue to impress, it is the fact that Luke Markham is consistently my favorite drummer to listen to (on any recording) that makes him the greatest drummer available on SoundBetter. How you hit the drums (and record them) matters... need help? Talk to Master Luke
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Luke is a really dynamic drummer and nailed the groove for my track really quickly. This is my 2nd time working with him and will definitely be working with him again for future projects!
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Luke takes my ideas and just makes them 10X better. Highly recommended.
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Luke is super talented and a pleasure to work with. Highly recommended!
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always thoughtful, funky, relentless and positive. Great experience working with Luke as usual.
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The audio & video of this track speak for itself. Search "Burn It Down" by The Resistance Company to hear how to build a heavy edged political rock track around the best drummer the internet has to offer, Luke Markham! ✊✊✊
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Another great experience working with Luke. Great player and audio engineer - I was really happy with what he added to my track.
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Amazing Drummer, Musician, Person.
Luke is it. - check_circleVerified
What can I say about Luke! His musicality and recording clarity is off the charts. He had so many helpful suggestions on how to over come remote recording to keep the vibe of grooving together. Highly recommend for all styles of music and highly professional!
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Luke is an incredible drummer who can tackle pretty much anything. We've known Luke for several years and we've played with him on many gigs, shows, and recordings before working with him on SoundBetter. We sent Luke a very challenging track for a J-pop artist and he absolutely nailed it! We highly recommend Luke as a drummer on any project, any genre.
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Luke is the man.
Period. - check_circleVerified
Another gem job by master drummer Luke!
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Great experience again! Always love working with Luke! Cares as much about your Project as anyone who isn’t you possibly can. Very efficient with notes and great with reasonable deadlines.
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What can you say about this fellow? He's amazing! I'm an industry professional and I've worked with a lot of drummers including Aaron Comes, Ulysses Owens & George "Spanky" McCurdy. Luke is Top Notch! Hire him. Your music deserves his expertise.
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The percussive stylings of Luke Markham continue to wow:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5YcNqUQotpSbg2bT4lA8KO?si=gXbKsqYsT0u2ILzML88Vow - check_circleVerified
Luke has the goods.
An uncanny ability on drums and a serious mind for all things musical.
A true musicians musician. - check_circleVerified
Look no further, you've found the guy you're looking for.
A drummer on another level.
And a total pleasure to work with. - check_circleVerified
Great working with Luke. He was very efficient and helpful and I'd highly recommend him!
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I'm so happy I discovered Luke on here and his wonderful drumming. His expertise has brought my track to life and I'm super excited with all the files he's give me to get stuck in editing. He has delivered exactly what I asked for, including extra takes "Just in case" - a very thorough, talented and nice guy. He tuned his drums to suit my track and the files he delivered are perfect. Can't wait to work with him again!
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Really quick turn around on feedback, easy and efficient to work with, takes time to understand your vision and bring it to life! Great experience!
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Can't say enough good things about working with this fine drummer and human. If you want someone who understands rhythm at a very high level and delivers your vision with passion then Luke is your guy.
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All around superb performance and experience with the super talented Luke Markham.
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Another killer session with virtuoso Luke Markham!!
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Another Stellar job by the uber-talented Luke Markham!
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Luke is always killin! He has made this project exponentially better!!!!
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Wonderful drummer for all styles, and easy to work with!
Has endless technical ability, and is beyond easy to work with!
I can't recommend him enough! - check_circleVerified
Putting together a project with Luke will always make your experience pro and unforgettable.
Check out all he has done on these recordings of The Clubs:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5YcNqUQotpSbg2bT4lA8KO?si=gPELOMF7SUqOgB84hrfR0A - check_circleVerified
Cool Hands Luke brings all the funk every time and it's just what the Dr ordered.
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Luke was awesome! Easy to interpret what me and my producer wanted. Gave numerous stems for the song and provided a quick turnaround. USE HIM! :)
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Luke Brings his A game every single time. If you want a pro experience from one of the top drummers in NYC look no further.
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Wonderful performance, great instincts, and great at following directions!
I can't not recommend this drummer enough, especially if you are looking for a fusion/jazz drummer! Gives a flawless performance, with great feel, great sounding drums, and a very musical approach to any tune you may give him!
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Luke is an all-around great person to work with. He's an incredibly skilled musician, very adaptable in response to feedback, committed to delivering a great product, and kind and personable! He's the drummer to go with.
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Luke's Professionalism and Musicality are second to none. He always delivers, making changes and discussing strategy and taking pride in everything he produces. He is the real deal.
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Sir Luke.
Killing as usual.
Can't wait for the next one. - check_circleVerified
Luke is the King!! Always well constructed and performed drum parts. And the sounds\recording of are of the highest standards!
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And the award for greatest file share drum recording and performance goes to ...... the master of the snare, kick, toms, and cymbals.... the lone drummer that puts the word "legend' in place of "session" when using the term "session drummer" it is my favorite Legend Drummer, LUKE!
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Killllllllllller Drums!!!!!!!!
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It's always a pleasure and a privilege to work with Luke!!
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great job on the track!
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The greatest file share - sound better AND actual drummer of all time is Master Luke. Hit him up and behold your tracks will come alive
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And the award for most versatile session drummer ever in the history of file share style home recording during a global pandemic goes to..... Master Luke. He can lay it down thick or he can finesse your canvas. Few I've encountered in my 25 years behind the board have this much ability.
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The greatest session man of all time has a fully pro sounding rig in his recording space and also happens to always treat art with the respect and positivity the art deserves. I literally can't find anyone better for all of my music! The force runs strong in Drum Master Luke!!
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In all our work together over the years in bands and recording, Luke has brought his great
ideas, friendliness, musical range and abilities to every song. Hire him! - check_circleVerified
The master with the sticks and skins!!!
check out his work here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1iXUsuSmIH0dgaHnDv0DCd?si=0GYCBwgMTXCjzMdFkbtmgg - check_circleVerified
Luke is an incredible drummer and an absolute professional in regards to all aspects of the process. He was communicative and quick to respond.
But most importantly, the quality of the takes and the recordings was outstanding. He provided multiple takes with the full individual mic tracks. I'd definitely say im hard to please but, im absolutely floored at how well it was recorded and played.
I will definitely be working with him again! A+
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Yeah...he's it. Looking forward to more work with Luke.
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The most Bangin' on The beat. Master Luke brings the force to every track he completes. Always a pro on the kit with versatile clean audio and also to interact with.
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Luke is a great guy to work with. A real pro, not just with his drumming but with his detailed placement of mic's. It really makes a big difference. You get a nice big rich drum sound from his process. I highly recommend him!
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Amazing job as always!!!!
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You DEFINITELY wanna work with Luke. He's super professional, quick, and easy to work with. He made my original track sound SO beautiful! Hire him!
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A stellar job and performance as always. Check it out here: http://theclubs.bandcamp.com/track/what-should-we-do
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Always a pleasure to work with the super dynamic Luke!
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As always Luke's playing and knowledge killed it!!
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Working with Luke was one of the best experiences I've had on Soundbetter so far. He's a really talented drummer and will work with you to get the perfect take.
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Luke did an excellent job, as always, playing and recording his drum parts. He is open to ideas on how to make a song better, and has great ideas of his own. Hire him!
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Luke is a great drummer and played really tastefully on my track. He was really easy to work with and the turnaround was fast. Will definitely be in touch again the next time I need live drums!
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Wish I could give more than 5 stars
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Luke M for President!
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You won't find a better drummer for your project!!!
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The greatest session guy of all time, capable of anything at all. A Professional hero on the kit and on the file share. You can only improve your art by working with this upcoming legend.
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Luke is an amazing drummer, I'm so glad he's drumming on my projects. He is incredibly reliable and fast as well.
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Another stellar Job from Luke!
He kills it every time!!!! - check_circleVerified
Dope beats.
This is your dude for great, recording, communication, ideas and everytang musical. - check_circleVerified
Another solid, comprehensive and creative job.
As always great ideas and communication.
Thank you Luke!
Looking forward to the next one! - check_circleVerified
Luke is the Best around.
Adaptable, subtle, melodic, and forward thinking.
He understands the intricacies of what makes a drum part work with your music and what might clash.
He is able to quickly make changes and incorporate feedback.
A consummate Professional. I've worked with Luke as a session drummer on my own tracks (as a Pop/R&B singer-songwriter) and in live performance settings. Not only is he an amazing drummer that's tasteful and intuitive, he's got a great ear for production and will always give you a handful of really great tracking options. He's very professional; his turn-around time is super quick, he's got a kind, patient attitude, and he genuinely cares that both parties are happy with his results! I highly recommend Luke to anyone looking for a session drummer with tons of knowledge and experience. He'll make sure your track lit.
I first started working with Luke in my freshman year of college. Over the years we have worked on many projects together and it has truly been a privilege to work with him. Not only is he one of the most knowledgeable and talented musicians I have ever worked with but he is also one of the easiest to work with as well. His dedication to his craft is exemplary.
Luke will be a positive addition to any musical project. You can count on him to be on time, prepared and bring an array of ideas to any project. I recommend Luke without reservation.
Working with Luke has been an experience. He took full ownership of the percussive context I wanted to set on each track and brought his expertise and finesse to its execution. My input wasn’t always communicated musically and Luke was able to get an instinctual feel for its translation. We worked remotely and integrating his tracks into the projects was seamless. Having Luke on this project elevated the arrangements & would totally work with him again in the future and do recommend him to anyone. I'm sure Luke can bring a lot to any genre with his unique aesthetic.
I’ve worked with Luke a few times and not only are his skills superb, but also his ability to communicate and get on the level of the project. Luke is Always a top pick
Luke's groove, energy, professionalism and effort are as high as any musician I have worked with in NYC. He pays attention to detail, is always looking to learn, is flexible, and has the best attitude. He is truly a joy to work with, and he is an excellent choice for a drummer for just about any occasion.
On point and in time, I’ve worked with Luke on a ton of recording projects. He’s reliable, creative and really enjoyable to be around.
As a record producer who works with a ton of drummers, I can say that Luke has the chops to perform at the highest quality level. He’s intuitive, always prepared and has good taste. What more could you want?
Luke Markham is a consummate professional and incredible musician. I've worked with Luke for the better part of a decade, and his respect, humility, and skill brought to every project is astounding. His work with me and my debut album, "The Graushua Tree," was incredible. His preparedness for the recording and skill he brought was much need on an 8 hour session. He was always looking for ways to push the music creatively but always willing to take feedback. He is and will be my #1 drummer for recommendations and to share gigs with.
Luke is an incredible drummer and arranger. He takes so much pride in his work and makes sure I’m happy with the finished product. He has helped my project in so many ways and has shown me what my vision for my music was before I even knew myself. I would definitely recommend working with Luke- he’s the best in the business and you will not be disappointed!
Interview with Luke Markham
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Recording music for an ear training app!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Vocals - YAEVIN, Ian Abel Bass - John Gray
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital. Flexibility in editing, collaborating, automating, etc. And plug-ins are getting better every day. That said, I love outboard compressors.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Every day is different. I get to be creative and flexible for a living. I can't ask for much more than that.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Q: How many mics do you have? A: I can have up to 16 mics on the kit at a time. I typically use 8 but will happily add more on request. Q: Can you mix your drum tracks? A: Yes, for an additional fee.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Sometimes people see the word "jazz" and immediately associate that with overplaying. I find equal pleasure in playing minimalistic and in the pocket as I do freely improvising.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I like to hear reference tracks of drum sounds that they like or think would be fitting for the project. I also like to know if they want me to stick to the demo (if one is provided) or provide some more exploratory takes as well.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Even if you don't "speak musically," more information is always better! A direction that may seem vague can have a lot of information still! And it ALWAYS has more information than no direction at all.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: 1. Istanbul Agop 22" Signature ride 2.16" 30th-anniversary hats 3. 20" Gretsch Brooklyn Kick Drum 4. Craviotto Ambrosia Maple Snare 5. Metronome
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been playing the drum set for over 20 years at this point. I studied privately with Blake Fleming for 4 years while getting my audio engineering degree at SUNY Oneonta. Then I dove headfirst into the New York City music scene. I've been making a living by performing and recording in the NYC metropolitan area ever since.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Expressive. I focus on the big pulse and moving with the song. The emotional content of a piece is a part of how I play. I cannot separate the two, and I don't think that one should always try to.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Kendrick Lamar. I love the way he incorporates live musicians into his tracks. Hearing a great lyricist over Thundercat and Robert Glasper? C'mon.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Make a template for each type of project you do!!!! Having everything set up correctly in one-click is a huge time saver. And you can constantly be dialing in the templates to be more and more efficient. I even go as far as having disabled plug-ins that I use the most already in the channel strip. So when it's time to mix, one click and I have a great starting point.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I play a lot of modern jazz. But I am also very at home in the pop and singer-songwriter worlds. I like creating parts that can put a simple, but well-written, song into the right "frame."
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I'll always start by charting out the song. Even if I don't intend to read the chart at all during the recording process I find that it helps me to internalize the form and focus on details that one might otherwise miss. Then, depending on the amount of information I was given by the artist, I will explore different time feels; particularly where the backbeat is going to be placed. This is the biggest decision in how a listener will "feel" the piece. From there I build up. Kick pattern, the grid implied by the cymbals, and so on until the part is crafted.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have an 11x14 live room with OC-703 acoustically treated fiberglass panels as well as a floated floor beneath the drum set.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: My living heroes are Mark Guiliana, Chris Dave, Marcus Gilmore, Dave King, Herbie Hancock, Justin Brown, Bill Stewart, Robert Glasper, Lionel Loueke, many many more.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Session Drumming
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Support, creativity, but most importantly flexibility to fit the artist or producer's vision.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Creating drum parts for an artist and helping them realize their song's full potential even if they don't have rhythmic ideas yet in place.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My drumming will be exactly what you need for your project. Whether it be subtle, or a track-defining groove.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: My favorite album that I've been a part of thus far is "A Dark and Stormy Day" by Alessandro Fadini. I feel that this performance captured who I am as a musician more so than any project I've been a part of in the past.

I was the Drummer in this production
- Live drum trackAverage price - $200 per song
- Programmed drumAverage price - $170 per song
- Mark Guiliana
- Chris Dave
- Dave King
- Neve 1073LB preamp
- Rupert Neve Designs Portico 511 preamps (2)
- Universal Audio 4710-d preamps/compressors
- Universal Audio Apollo x8p
- Gretsch Brooklyn Series Drums
- Craviotto Snare
- Istanbul Agop Cymbals