Anthony Duke
"Jam Master" Anthony Duke Interview
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Interview by Roger Zee (07/16/19)
Roger Zee: Who inspired you to pick up the guitar and sing?
Anthony Duke: I owe it all to the great Westchester drummer Gary Schwartz. As a kid, I wanted to be a Beatle just like the rest of America. But none of my friends played guitar. We were sports guys. So I didn’t get past a few guitar lessons. Many years later I hosted a fundraiser at an art center in Westchester and met Gary. I told him how I always wanted to play and he encouraged me to attend one of his jams. I only used three chords but I felt so excited afterwards. I knew I had to pursue it. So at 49 years old, I started my first garage band!
Roger Zee: Talk about your musical influences.
Anthony Duke: You won’t believe it when I tell you that I grew up next-door to Rudy Isley of the Isley brothers. And I became friends with Les Paul in his later years. My wife and I used to go see him play every week at Fat Tuesdays in New York City. I would sit at the bar upstairs during shows to watch his car and put money in the meter so he wouldn’t get a ticket! I could've learned a lot from both of them but I didn’t discover my musical ability until long after that. Too bad. They both shaped my love for Blues and R & B which will always remain my favorites. But I grew up on British Rock and Roll.
Roger Zee: How did you come to take over the legendary Tuesday Lucy’s Lounge Jam?
Anthony Duke: Will Van Sise ran the Lucy's jam for over ten years and I really enjoyed playing in it. Lucy's also gave me my first paying gig so it holds a very special place in my heart. I would do anything to help their manager Rob Catalano build a showcase for great music. I feel it my time to give back. I want to encourage other people to develop their musical talents and create a community that supports musicians and helps expand their knowledge and craft. Blessed with so many people who encouraged me, I owe it to carry on the tradition.
Roger Zee: What goals and philosophy do you bring to the jam. What does the club expect?
Anthony Duke: It's a fine balance between artistic quality and bottom-line business. We need to create an environment where people want to come listen to great music, musicians want to come play, and everyone enjoys good food and drinks. It's win-win for everybody. Lucy's loves to support live music. But at the end of the day it’s a business and needs to make economic sense. So we do everything we can to bring good value to the people who come. I believe Lucy’s main room has what it takes to become a first class, intimate venue for national touring acts as well as the top local talent. We're working to produce some great shows this fall. Stay tuned.
Roger Zee: How do you put together your jam sets? First come first serve, musical compatibility, ability?
Anthony Duke: That's the $64,000 question! I try my best to find a balance between giving people an opportunity to express themselves and grow their musical skills but also put out a good product that listeners will enjoy when they come to Lucy's. I value players and listeners equally because at the end of the day it’s that chemistry that makes a club a place where people want to come listen and play. That mutual exchange of enjoyment makes me feel we succeeded each week. I try to give people who really work hard at improving their skills the opportunity to continually play with better and better musicians. During my years at the jams, I’ve seen a lot of players start out as amateurs and become great drummers, guitarists and singers. I also listen to what musicians tell me when we get together at the jams and try to meet their expectations regardless of their level of talent. I want everybody to have a good time so they come back again and again.
Roger Zee: Which bands do you play in?
Anthony Duke: I feel really fortunate working with great band mates in everything I do. I play in a four piece classic Rock ‘n’ Roll band called Duke’s Laundromat which combines terrific music with a little performance art. My great duo with Damian Petta works on a regular basis and that's helped me improve my musical skills. Every time we go out, we aim to push the envelope and present something new and different. Then there’s the Tuesday jam house band. Each week we set a goal to bring new material to the stage. We pick five songs that each of us learns separately. Then we get together for an hour on the day before the jam to tighten it up. That process really helps to discipline ourselves. It creates a work ethic that produces good music all the time. I always say I’m really not a musician. I'm an entertainer. I love performing in front of people and motivating them to enjoy a good time. When you do that with great musicians behind you, it makes for such incredible joy.
Roger Zee: Any advice to people who want to start playing?
Anthony Duke: It’s never too late to late to start. Music's a timeless hobby and the best therapy there is. I’ll play till the day I die!
©2019 Roger Zee