Duke the Musician

Duke, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a Permanent Resident of Australia. In the U.S.A. he was a student of jazz (trumpet, guitar and vocals) from a very young age. Close to Chicago, he would “obtain” questionable ID and sneak into the jazz clubs on the Southside. He began playing professionally (with the same ID) at the age of 17. He has played in some of the most famous and infamous juke joints and clubs in the Midwest and East Coast of the U.S.A., the Hotel Nationale in Havana and the Hot, Boom Boom Room in Acapulco.

In Australia he is well known for his leading role in light operas and as the featured vocalist for several big bands and jazz ensembles.

He has appeared with the Chancellor Big Band, Guest Artist for the Gold Coast Convention Centre opening celebration at Swing Street, some of the boys from Galapagos Duck, The Nick Burrell Big Band and Paul Gibens Decahedron Big Band.

Most recently, he “wowed ‘em” at the Gold Coast Arts Centre “Jazz in the Basement” venue with the Harry Lynn Trio. His passion and talent for music transcend his “reading of the dots” and his voice is unique yet reminiscent of the great jazz singers and crooners of the 50’s & 60’s.

They say that hearing Duke sing “Georgia”, “Birth of the Blues” and a cascade of other numbers, is a tingling, nostalgic yet new experience. His moving arrangement (John Pieri, Arranger) of “Old Man River” and various Jazz and Swing numbers are frequently played on 94.1 FM.

Duke the Actor

Duke Bannister is an actor, compere, facilitator, comedian, impressionist and voice over specialist

Television