Tention Free: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Your background, education, your passion etc. ??
I started drums at 11 simply by chance, learned on my own up until 17 yrs old when I studied with a seasoned local teacher back in Venezuela.
Then studied at music schools, until I moved to Boston in 1994 to study at Berklee College of Music, Graduated in 1997….ouch 20 yrs ago
Tention Free: We’ve been hearing a lot about you, so we notice your starting to gain a lot of attention how does it feel?
A little attention never hurts, thou I don’t think I have ever passed the threshold of “being famous” yet….. doubt I ever will.
Tention Free: What kind of training have you had, if any ?
Like I mentioned before, my training at the beginning was my record collection, the most of my training was definitely earned at Berklee and after when I played with a varied style of Artists, such as James Cohen in Canada, most definitely, Randy Armstrong which whom I played for 11 yrs. It was a band and music I loved. Randy’s music had everything, Americana, Folk, Rock, African Rhythms, Indian Rhythms, Brazilian Rhythms. It was a great way to get lots of info by playing great music. I also train by keep learning new things, rhythms and harmonic concepts.
Tention Free: Any upcoming project?
I think the next thing for me will be to finally record with my friend Lars Tellman in Germany, I collaborated with him many times in the past, and recently recorded some percussions on his upcoming solo album. But since we’ve been conversing, we want to not just collaborate but release a project together. It will be not only fun, but at the same time totally different from my latest album : “JORODU”
Tention Free: Can you please tell our readers more about your book “the Drummer’s role” ?
Well the book probably took 2 yrs to write and it is the result of many notes and observations from the classes I teach. I kind off gathered what worked and what didn’t when I teach complete beginners and wanted to offer something in that area. A method for people who know absolutely nothing about drum set and how they could learn using my methodology. The second section of the book are a series of exercises I developed for myself to keep my drum technique in shape. And The third section, is a series of interviews to Musicians, and Producers about what do they want from a drummer. I was lucky enough to interview Adam Holzman, keyboardist for Steven Wilson, Antonio Sanchez, drummer for Pat Metheny and a successful solo artist in his own right, John Young, singer and keyboard player of Life signs, ( he also played with ASIA, and Bonnie Tyler), and many others who had had a career in music. It’s part of my book that makes me very proud.
Tention Free: What has been one of the most exciting achievements of your career so far ?
Mmm, I would say that having graduated from Berklee College, it’s to me a big achievement. Also, having played with such a varied number of artists and styles.
Being accepted and respected by my peers at the Latin Grammy Academy has been nice too. Met some interesting people so far. And Most definitely, having found a way to write and record my own music. That makes me very happy.
Tention Free: What’s your goal in life you want to achieve next?
I’m not sure. I would say that since I’m not getting any younger, I would love to be able to tour Europe with my music, at least once. So I can say I did it!!
But I believe I want to achieve happiness, doing what I do, and most definitely, expand my horizons and field of work beyond the borders of what I’ve done so far.
Tention Free: What motivates you to do your best work as a Drummer/Composer ?
I always feel like pleasing the music fan I carry inside, I became a fan of music first, then became a musician. So I aim to write the music I would like to hear.
I tend to forget about the listener or fans per se. I do the music I want, not what the masses dictate. That, and my biggest motto or philosophy, “work only with people you enjoy being around with, that you love or respect….only with those whose playing moves you and makes you feel something…do not thing of having big names on your band for the mere fact that they have a name. Empathy is a better conduit of musical results than having a “name”
Tention Free: Did you choose this industry, as a career, or as a hobby?
Music chose me, so I have very little to say in that respect. I’ve been trying, unsuccessfully, to escape music all these years.
Tention Free: Everybody needs time out. What do you do in your free time?
I love reading and movies, so I either, sit and read tons of books, or watch movies, ….. or simply sit at my back porch and stare at the water…..avoiding to think.
Tention Free: How can people find you and follow you online?
Anybody curious about my music and whereabouts can visit my website https://www.joseduque-drums.com
All my discography can be accessed through there if they are interested in my latest album thy can go directly to my album
https://jorodu.bandcamp.com/album/jorodu
and on facebook at
facebook.com/pg/joserduquedrummer/about/
