duende libre

Full Bio: Keyboard player Alex Chadsey was fluent in jazz and classical forms. He’d walked the usual, rigorous path of a conservatory-style music education. Then he wound up in Seattle, University of Michigan music degree in hand, not sure of what to do. The answer: Play in salsa bands, perfect his montuno, and learn how music creates community. Chadsey’s creative output changed dramatically, coming together in 2016 as a trio project Duende Libre. Their self-titled debut album (released May 5, 2017) distills years of performing, apprenticing with master musicians, and crafting originals that explore Latin elements in new contexts. The results are savvy and grooving, reflecting the Seattle scenes Chadsey inhabits and loves, where Uzbek bassists and Jamaican poets and border-crossing fandangos power musical visions. An inspired power trio, Duende Libre features longtime collaborators Alex Chadsey (piano/keyboards/compositions), Farko Dosumov (electric bass & voice) and Jeff “Bongo” Busch (drums & percussion). They are frequently joined by Frank Anderson, a dynamic and engaging vocalist, drummer and dancer and Chava Mirel, electrifying singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Duende utilizes the American jazz tradition as a point of departure for daring explorations of folk and classical music from the Americas, Europe and Africa, yielding catchy melodies, lush harmonies, and wholehearted groove. Jazziz called Duende’s music “a strikingly authentic blend” and Earshot Jazz wrote “Duende Libre is aural balm for the soul…” Their second album Drift (released Spring 2018) is available now. Press: "Duende Libre is aural balm for the soul, medicine that goes down easy, and will leave you healed in both body and spirit. Daily use is recommended.” — Earshot Jazz "…a strikingly authentic blend.” — Jazziz -- Jonah Falk Duende Libre Booking & Outreach 2 Attachments