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photo of Jack in school band 1960Jack Dukes began his long and varied performance experience in 1960 at the age of ten. By the age of eleven he was the Drum Section Captain for the Optimist Club Drum and Bugle Corps in Savannah, Georgia. Jack began his drum set performance career in 1964 at the age of thirteen. Since the mid-sixties, he has performed continuously. He began playing the music of the "British Invasion" bands of that era, including groups such as The Beatles and the Rolling Stones. During the mid-sixties, he played "soul" music of the period, such as the music of James Brown, Otis Redding, and many of the Motown artists of that time.

Photo of Jack DukesDuring the late sixties and early seventies, Jack regularly performed the music of contemporary artists of that period including Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Cream, The Band, and many others. Jack stayed busy performing during the "disco" era of the seventies and continued working through the period of country music popularity that began in the late seventies and continued through the early nineties. During that time Jack performed with lifetime Grand Ole Opry member, Mel McDaniel.

Reflections Big Band photoJack's live performance experiences have run the gamut from Hollywood, California's Universal Studios to performing for President George H. W. Bush and the Carter Presidential Library. Jack continues to perform regularly in various groups, styles, and venues. He is an active member of the International Percussive Arts Society.

Jack Dukes began his professional teaching career at Hollywood, California's world renowned Musicians Institute prior to his graduation with honors in 1984. He was initially hired to prepare new students for the rigorous and demanding performance curriculum at Musicians Institute. After graduating, Jack was offered a permanent teaching position and taught there from 1984 to 1986.

Jack Dukes photoIn 1986, Jack moved to Atlanta, Georgia and taught at Atlanta Pro Percussion for eleven years. In 2003, he formed his own corporation, Drumseed, LLC. Jack's students accomplish their goals and many have attended some of the country's finest music schools, including Berklee, Los Angeles Music Academy, and Musician's Institute. Many of his students have embarked on their own successful teaching and performance careers.

Jack's current student, Trevor Henningson, was named "Outstanding Musician 2009" at Westminster Schools in Atlanta, GA and was a member of the 2010 Georgia All-State Band. Congratulations to Hallie Pappas, who was awarded "Most Valuable Musician 2011" at Woodward Academy. Hallie currently plays snare drum in Woodward Academy Marching Band and plays 1st chair snare drum, in the Concert Band.

Jack is currently taking a sabbatical. Please check back in the Fall of 2017.

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