Biography –
A new graduate from the University of North Florida, Pablo Duque is a rising saxophonist, vocalist, and composer in Jacksonville, Florida. He graduated with his B.M. in Jazz Studies in the Spring 2024 term.
During his first two years of college, Duque was a member of UNF’s Jazz Ensemble 2, and for the past two years, he has had the privilege of being a member of UNF’s prestigious JE1, with his latest role being Lead Alto. Additionally, Duque has been involved with the UNF Clarinet Choir and previously performed as a member of their Wind Symphony.
Throughout his time in college Duque had received scholarships from the Bob Washington Scholarship Foundation, the Wayne Barlow Scholarship through the Jacksonville Jazz Society, and was awarded a grant through UNF to collaborate with Dr. Sunshine Simmons, Associate Professor of Clarinet, and arrange Haydn Wood’s “Mannin Veen: Dear Isle of Man” for clarinet choir. The UNF Clarinet Choir premiered it internationally in Dublin, Ireland, for the 2024 ICA ClarinetFest, and have a recording available on Youtube. In March 2024, Duque also competed in the North American Saxophone Alliance’s Jazz Competition, where he advanced to finals and received 3rd prize. In May, he performed with UNF’s JE1 in the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.
Alongside these accolades, he has had the opportunity to perform alongside world-class musicians and occasionally collaborates with various wedding and private event bands. Notable figures Duque has performed during his time at UNF include Michael Mossman and Joe Martin, Jim McNeely, Tim Hagans and Jon Irabagon, and Dennis Mackrel. Outside of his academic pursuits, he has shared the stage with esteemed artists such as Teddy Adams, Ulysses Owens Jr., Scott Giddens, Eric Jones, Barry Green, Dennis Marks, and collaborates frequently with John Lumpkin and the JL Institute. He is associated with the International Musician’s League, regularly performing with their Bay Kings Band and Emerald Empire Band. He is also the saxophonist for AR Production House, a Jacksonville-local entertainment company known for “The Velvet Underground Show” and “A Very Merry Christmas Ball”. “A Very Merry Christmas Ball” made its debut December 2024 .
Upon completing his B.M. degree, Duque plans to stay in Jacksonville for a few years before eventually heading to New York for the next chapter in his musical career. Until then, he continues freelancing, offering private lessons, and composing for various groups and big band projects. Duque hosts a biweekly jazz jam session at the Volstead, a local speakeasy in downtown Jax, frequently collaborates with the Jacksonville Jazz Society for events they hold, and is the leader, composer and saxophonist for his new Jazz Fusion project: “Intertwined Vine”. The group will be debuting on February 15th at Zap Cat Espresso Bar for their new fusion showcase event “The Zap Sessions”.
