James Duncan

Born in Toronto in 1968, he began to play the trumpet and guitar in public school then studied trumpet classically at the University of Toronto. After his studies, he began co- leading bands and ensembles on the Toronto indie rock and free jazz scene of the early 90s, while continuing his improvisational studies with ex-Cecil Taylor trumpeter, the late, great Raphe Malik.

He has appeared as a trumpet player on a number of highly influential and respected underground club records, including Metro Area’s debut CD (BBC Radio 1 Dance CD of the Year 2002), Metro Area 5 (12”), Morgan Geist’s “Double Night Time” CD and his “Super” 12” from 2001, all on Environ Records. He also appeared on The Rapture’s “House of Jealous Lover’s” 12” (M.Geist Remix), the first release on DFA Records, run by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem.

An active musician, he has performed at major venues and festivals including: Lincoln Center’s Out of Doors Festival, PS1/Moma Warm Up Series, The Winter Music Conference in Miami, The Sonic Fiction Festival in Warsaw, Poland, Tonic (NYC), The Knitting Factory (Manhattan), Roulette (NYC), ABC No Rio (NYC), CBGB’s, The Toronto International Jazz Festival (Next Wave Series), The Guelph International Jazz Festival, The Detroit Electronic Music Festival (Official Movement After Party) and John Zorn’s The Stone in NYC.

Artists he has performed, toured and/or recorded with include: Metro Area (Environ), Morgan Geist (Environ), Glenn Branca (99 Records), IZITITIZ (Sound@1), Rhys Chatham (Nonesuch), The Rapture (M. Geist remix on DFA), Juini Booth (Sun Ra, McCoy Tyner), Butch Morris, Kelley Polar (Environ), NY Improv drummers Tom Bruno (TEST) and Marc Edwards (Cecil Taylor), Sabir Mateen (William Parker, TEST), Daniel Carter (Other Dimensions in Music, TEST), Ras Moshe (Music Now), Ernie Brooks (The Modern Lovers), Arthur’s Landing (Strut), The Silent League (Mercury Rev/Arcade Fire), Nirosta Steel, Chris Corsano (Bjork), Jon DeRosa (Rocket Girl), Aarktica (Darla) and Lem Springsteen (Mood II Swing) .

James studied trumpet with Dr Jeffrey Reynolds (U of T), Larry Weeks (Principal Trumpet, Toronto Symphony), Barton Woomert (Toronto Symphony), Laurie Frink and trumpet improvisation with Raphe Malik (Cecil Tayor, Jimmy Lyons). He continues to study with Scott Wendholt (Village Vanguard Orchestra).

Awards

BBC Radio 1 Dance CD of The Year 2002 - Metro Area “Metro Area” CD Environ (Credit: Trumpet)
Rolling Stone Top 50 CDs 2002 - Metro Area “Metro Area” CD Environ (Credit: Trumpet)
Village Voice Jazz and Pop Poll 2002 - #9 Best Singles The Rapture “House of Jealous Lovers” 12” DFA (Credit: Trumpet)
Resident Advisor Top 100 CDs of the Decade 2000/2010 - #2 Metro Area “Metro Area” CD Environ (Credit: Trumpet)
Pitchfork.com Top 100 Singles of the Decade 2000/2010 - #15 The Rapture “House of Jealous Lovers” 12” DFA (Credit: Trumpet)

Gear

Conn Constellation 38B Trumpet Austin Custom Brass 7M Mouthpiece Couesnon flugelhorn

Tags