Duke Bannister Bio Duke, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin arrived in Australia in 1973. As a youngster Duke was a student of jazz (trumpet, guitar and vocals). Close to Chicago, he would “obtain” questionable ID and sneak into the jazz clubs on the Southside. He has performed with the Decahedron & Chancellor Big Band, some of the “boys” from Galapagos Duck, the Harry Lynn trio at Gold Coast Arts Centre, “Jazz in the Basement”, Guest Artist at the opening celebrations of the Gold Coast Convention Centre, numerous performances at the Brisbane Jazz Club, corporate functions with his 12 Pc. Big Band at the Brisbane City Hall, Musical Director, band leader & featured performer for the first “Big Band Night” at the Gold Coast Convention & Entertainment Centre, in aid of The Breast Cancer Foundation. His Quintessential Jazz Group , consisting of Trio, Quartet, Quintet, Sextet and Big band are always in demand for private, corporate and commercial functions. Duke is also an International Recording Artist. His Jazz, Swing & Latin CD i.e. “Duke is Back”, has gained Australian and International commercial success. This and original songs are available on CDBaby, iTunes and various others His passion and talent for music transcend his “reading of the dots” and his voice is unique yet reminiscent of the great jazz / swing singers of all time. Hearing Duke sing “Georgia”, “Birth of the Blues” and a cascade of other numbers is a tingling, nostalgic yet new experience. His moving arrangement, by John Pieri, of “Old Man River” and other songs are frequently played on Jazz Radio 94.1 FM. “There are those that simply sing Jazz & Swing. Then there is Duke. Consumed by the passion of each song he sings its story.” John Pieri, Guitarist. Also a Vocal Impressionist he brings back found memories of artists like Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Billy Eckstein, Frankie Laine, Lou Rawls, Joe Williams and Frank Sinatra. In addition, to his music he is a well known actor in Australian and International television, films and radio. He thoroughly enjoyed appearing in Paul Hogan’s film – Crocodile Dundee in L.A.