Today we’d like to introduce you to Pablo Duque.
Pablo, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a saxophonist, singer, composer, and bandleader currently based in Jacksonville, FL. I moved to Jax with my older sister in August 2020 to pursue my Jazz Studies Degree at UNF, but prior to that, I was born and raised in the Florida Panhandle, specifically in Fort Walton Beach, FL.
I grew up in a somewhat musical household; my parents weren’t professional musicians, but my mom loved to sing to my four siblings and me, and my dad could sing, play bass (primarily), and play piano. My introduction to music began with singing, learning songs from the radio or church, but I was the type of kid who, if I knew someone was listening to me, I would immediately go mute . That is, until the third grade, when I participated in my elementary school’s annual talent show, receiving cheers and applause after my performance. That was the first big step out of my comfort zone, but one I’m very glad I made.
My mom and I went to a local park a year later, where there happened to be a live band performing. Im the middle of their performance I heard someone playing this beautiful-sounding instrument, then asked my mom what it was. As soon as she told me it was a saxophone, my heart would be set on wanting to learn to play it. So, I started learning the saxophone in sixth grade, excelled further than what was expected of my class, and was introduced to Jazz and Big Band the year after. I fell in love with the genre and the art of improvisation, so much so that I wanted to keep with it all through middle and high school. It was the last semester of middle school where my band director, Mr. Harris, introduced me to composition. He showed me what software to write with, and soon after, I had written and performed my first-ever saxophone quartet at our last band concert that year. I couldn’t have been more grateful for the opportunity. Then came the time for high school. I was fortunate to have been welcomed to the top Symphonic and Jazz Band, and I also joined my school’s chorus class. After Sophomore year, I went to my first official summer Jazz Camp, and while I was there, I got a glimpse of the true nature of Jazz, quickly realizing just how much there is for me to learn. Something I should note is that I was never able to take private lessons, largely due to my parents not being able to afford it at the time, so everything I had learned up to college was stuff I learned on my own. I created this huge playlist of jazz classics for me to listen to, from Joe Henderson to Wayne Shorter, Count Basie to Gordon Goodwin, just a slew of music for me to absorb. Sonny Rollins was the main saxophonist I transcribed, and to this day he is still one I frequently go back to. Flash forward a few years and I’m now at my UNF college audition; the faculty enjoyed my audition, then asked if I studied privately. I told the them I was self-taught, leaving them all the more surprised at how high a level I was able to play at. COVID-19 had shut down everything a few months later, but that actually provided me more opportunity to practice and put myself in a better position for college.
Flash forward to today, I am now a UNF alumnus, having studied with Professor Todd Delgiudice for four years, a time that I am forever grateful for. I’ve had opportunities to play with incredible musicians such as Ulysses Owens, Jr., Benny Benack III, Barry Green, and work with Michael Mossman and Joe Martin, Steven Feifke, Joel Frahm, and many more through UNF’s Jazz Ensemble 1. I went on my first tour under AR Production House last summer, I’ve hosted a Jazz Jam at the Volstead for over two years and counting, and continue to collaborate with the John Lumpkin Institute and the Bold City Jazz Society. I am incredibly appreciative of the support of my parents, and the push my band directors and professors gave me during my time in school.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think the biggest hurdle for me was discovering how much a musician has to do behind the scenes.
I have come to learn that we musicians are our own business. With it, especially for bandleaders, we are responsible for a multitude of things, like social media, creating gig flyers, emailing and calling venues, hiring musicians for gigs, learning music for gigs, and plenty more. Of course, one can hire a team to help with the administrative tasks, but at the stage of my career I’m in, that is easier said than done.
Because of this, there were times I found myself tying my self-worth to my work. Whether it was a bad day in the practice room or receiving one too many ‘no’s’ from venues, I sometimes found myself discouraged and disappointed with slow progress, on the verge of burning out.
I recently met with Benny Benack III, acclaimed NYC trumpeter and vocalist. We were grabbing coffee in Jax one morning, and he was telling me how, even to this day, he’d still be either rejected or ghosted when contacting venues. Some people I know might read this and be like “How can that be? He’s Benny Benack III!” Naturally, I also thought that for a split second, but after giving it more thought, I found it inspiring.
Despite knockback, he had continued to hustle his way to where he is, and because of that resilience he is now traveling the world doing what he loves. It was a personal reminder to me that what I want is tangible, but determination and discipline are crucial in order to obtain it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I play saxophone, flute, clarinet, and sing professionally across Jacksonville and neighbouring cities/states! I specialise in and am best known for playing Jazz music, but am proud to be versatile in other music genres too.
Something I feel that sets me apart from others is my business ethic. My parents are business owners, and my grandparents (my mom’s side) are now retired accountants. With the experience they passed down to me, I’ve become confident in taking leadership roles on gigs, talking with venue owners/booking managers directly, business management, conflict control, and more.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Dive deep, and dive often! After leaving my small hometown I realized just how much there is to learn, discover, and experience, regardless of career or profession. Take advantage of the plethora of time you have!
Save a lot of money, but don’t place too much value on the amount you have.
For jazz musicians specifically, transcribe and listen a lot! Aim to internalize instead of memorize.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pabloduquemusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pabloduque.music
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pabloduquemusic
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pabloduquemusic
