Greg Duncan is an emerging artist and freelance jazz trumpet player based in Chicago, Illinois. His quintet plays contemporary straight-ahead jazz that grooves with a mixture of blues, swing, and even flamenco. He has toured all over the world with various groups and performed at top jazz clubs in both Chicago and Europe.

Duncan came to Chicago in 2003 by way of Washington State and Texas. He graduated from the well-respected University of North Texas in 2001 and started working as a professional musician full-time. In 2002 he toured the United States and Japan with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and was a featured soloist in addition to composing and arranging for the band. His writing appeared on the Washington State University Big Band CD in 2003 and he also was invited to conduct an original composition that same year at the Southwest Regional College Music Society Conference. In 2006 and 2009, Duncan traveled and performed in Spain, where he picked up some flamenco sounds and incorporated them into his group. His debut recording with his quintet came in 2007 (“Unveiled”) and it was released by the prestigious OA2 record label. The recording received extensive radio play and earned these good remarks by jazz critics:

“Over the course of seventy-plus minutes, this disc grooves, swings, bops and just plain rocks out…Duncan’s writing is so hip…” Paul Abella (Chicago Jazz Magazine)

“Backed by a crew of solid young talent, Greg Duncan has unveiled a new force in jazz.” Jim Shulstad (Jazz Review.com)

“Duncan’s playing most often reminds of early– to mid-period Miles, certainly in sound if not always in terms of phrases.” Grego Applegate Edwards (Cadence Magazine)

As a freelance trumpet player, he has performed with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Marco Polo, Las Guitarras De España, Richie Cole, and many others. Duncan has studied with several prominent jazz trumpet players such as John Swana, Joe Magnarelli, and Al Hood. Also, while in Spain he studied flamenco rhythms on the cajón rhythm instrument. His style reflects all of these influences and continues to develop more interesting nuances.

Duncan currently plays and teaches in Chicago and performs often in Spain. His quintet plays contemporary straight-ahead jazz, featuring some of the best jazz talent in the city. He is currently blending jazz, blues, swing and flamenco to form a unique approach to contemporary jazz. Duncan won a grant from the Illinois Arts Council in 2012 to record “Chicago, Barcelona Connections” (now available on New Origins Records).