Jose R. Duque is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and prides himself on always being one of the most innovative and versatile musicians wherever he sets up residence. Now living in Miami, this Venezuelan musician has positioned himself as the go to guy in a variety of styles, such as Jazz, R&B, Latin, Rock, World Music and Musical Theater. Jose has contributed to dozens or original releases and is also a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the GRAMMY’s).
"I think for such a confined and at times isolated area, there is an incredible amount of talent in almost every discipline in the greater Seacoast region. Some of the musicians I played with were outstanding. It's well known, however, that some established institutions do not support, even though they sometimes claim to, local artists the way they could. I left the area 3 years ago in search of a better climate and better environment to be a working musician. I do miss downtown Portsmouth and a few emblematic places, but I don't miss the “crabs in a bucket” atmosphere that defines the scene. There is a "chip on the shoulder" attitude and once one of the struggling artists is granted some opportunity from an established organization, his or her attitude often changes and they no longer look out for the broader artist community. I recorded amazing albums in the seacoast but never fully supported myself as a musician. Having moved to a more vibrant and diverse community in the Miami area, I’ve had the chance to attain a lifestyle where I can make a living performing, teaching, composing music for theater and producing small indy projects. I am an advisory member of AIA as a result of my time spent on the Seacoast, and my experiences both positive and negative as a working musician. I applaud Scott Ruffner for bringing this conversation and movement to the forefront, and confronting the reality of our industry while retaining a good grasp on how to uplift and generate something sustainable for working artists."
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December 2017
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