Trumpeter Duane Eubanks is a multi-talented force whose fiery blasts and sweet distinctive sound carry his horn into a musical space that defies categorization. There’s a gritty soul and passion that emphatically captures his Philadelphia roots. Jazz is his bloodline. That bloodline began with his mother, pianist Vera Eubanks. She was Kenny Barron’s first piano teacher. His brothers are celebrated trombonist Robin Eubanks and guitarist Kevin Eubanks, with whom he’ll perform on The Jazz Cruise. Legendary pianist Ray Bryant is their uncle.
He began playing trumpet at 11 but didn’t consider music as a career until college. While studying for a business degree at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Duane joined the university’s jazz band. He jumpstarted himself into opportunities to play with jazz luminaries Stanley Turrentine, Shirley Scott, Charles Fambrough and Clark Terry. Duane studied jazz in master classes at Temple University with the legendary Dr. Billy Taylor. He was later tapped by the late pianist Mulgrew Miller to join his ensemble, Wingspan. Acclaimed bassist/bandleader Dave Holland invited Duane to play with his big band on a pair of GRAMMY® award-winning albums. He also recorded and played with Elvin Jones, John Hicks, Curtis Fuller, Louis Hayes, Randy Brecker, Avery Sharpe and Nicholas Payton.
Duane crossed over to play and record with Alicia Keys, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Wu-Tang Clan, and Kirk Franklin. He has played the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center, as well as toured throughout Europe, Japan, and the Middle East. His most recent albums as a bandleader are Things of that Particular Nature and DE3-Live at Maxwell’s, both on Sunnyside.