BIOGRAPHY
Luke consistently delivers entertaining, engaging and surprising work that lifts up the voices of his young collaborators.
Frank Newman, Creative Learning Specialist, Sydney Opera House
Luke is an artist who uses his profound lived experience of a chronic condition to produce art that is joyful and empowering. He is a gifted songwriter and project leader who creates an inclusive and inspiring environment for his collaborators, with a particular talent for working with young people.
Liz Martin, CEO, Accessible Arts
'Luke was a real highlight of our National Medicines Awards Dinner – his candid down to earth humour is not only hilariously funny but refreshingly honest and humbling. He is a truly talented individual who has risen above personal adversity to share his experiences and make the world a better place through music and laughter. Luke is a great MC for any occasion.'
Jan Randall, Chair, NPS Medicinewise,
"No ordinary entertainer. I have seen him at two 2014 conferences – NPS Medicinewise (Brisbane) and Consumers Health Forum (Melbourne). He had the whole audience in stitches both times, with new material for each occasion. I have only met Luke upon congratulating him after a show, but I’m delighted to recommend him, because he has twice managed to be the best entertainment I have ever seen at any conference. Book him!"
Dr Justin Coleman, President, Australasian Medical Writers Association
Luke ran a sensational forum on patient recovery for staff from our Service at RNS Hospital. Staff absolutely LOVED it and feedback included, “Awesome”, “Left beaming”, “Learned a lot about recovery”, “Inspirational and relevant,” “Best presentation ever”. Luke has an amazing ability to change the perceptions of living with a chronic illness as well as inspiring and motivating through music and humour.
Dr Glenys Dore, Psychiatrist, Clinical Director Northern Sydney Drug & Alcohol Service
"Luke brings a unique perspective to life's challenges and triumphs including dealing with chronic illness and parenthood. His velvety vocals and pithy song writing ability are both engaging and moving. Luke is able to tailor his performance to suit a range of audiences and this makes for riveting entertainment whether you are seeking laughter, tears or simple reflection"
Stephanie Spiers, Corporate and Government Affairs Manger, Janssen Cilag
A truly entertaining and passionate speaker at our professional nursing conference. Luke grabbed all of our hearts.
Stephanie Buckton, IBD Nurses Australia
His candid down to earth humour is not only hilariously funny but refreshingly honest and humbling. Luke is a truly talented individual who has risen above personal adversity to share his experiences and make the world a better place through music and laughter.
Janette Randall, Chair, NPS Medicinewise
Luke is a fabulous speaker and entertainer and his deep sincerity drawing from his own life experience is truly engaging. Luke collaborated with a local regional pain support group and spoke to its members who were predominantly chronic pain sufferers on maintaining one's health and empowerment despite pain. He draws great depth from his own journey and presented the topic given to him with a sense of humour that only Luke can do!”
Joyce McSwan, Managing Director PainWISE
A showman and an artist...
LUKE ESCOMBE is an award-winning songwriter, musician, and comedian who works in health, education and the arts. He is the creator of "Chronic", a musical comedy show about living with IBD, and "The Vegetable Plot", a nationally touring children's act signed to ABC Kids. Since the debut of Chronic at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in 2011, Luke's ability to take his real life struggles with chronic illness and turn them into laughter and music has earned him standing ovations on four continents and made him a sought after keynote speaker and MC at health industry events.
Luke is an ambassador for Crohn's and Colitis Australia, a member of the NSW Arts Advisory Panel and a teaching artist with the Sydney Opera House. He has been a winner of the Fringe Kids award for Best Children’s Show (twice), the Best Children’s Song category of the International Songwriting Competition, the “Hilarious Patient Leader” category of the international WEGO Health Advocacy Award and a 2011 competition on Mix 106.5FM to find “Sydney’s sexiest man voice” (though he doesn’t like to mention this unless absolutely necessary). He has also been nominated for an ARIA, a Green Room Award, and the APRA Children’s song of the year, which is not quite as good as being a winner of any of those things, but he is still trying.
Reviewing Luke's live DVD "Chronic Symphonic" for the Sydney Morning Herald, John Shand wrote: “Luke Escombe is funny and brave, a showman and an artist, a brilliantly engaging lyricist, expert tunesmith, fine guitarist and exceptional singer. Seldom is such sophistication wrapped in a coating of such overt fun. Hear him."