JEAN-MARC DUQUETTE

Keyboards and lead vocalist

Originally from Montreal’s north shore, Jean-Marc has in him the genes of the artist, both talented, passionate and fiery. Like his older brother, Mike, he is immersed in croon-flavored music from the sixties and early years; the melodies of Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Oscar Peterson are part of his family musical universe. At 5, he started playing the piano, then converted to the organ, before becoming multi-keyboardist.

At age 17, he moved to a first band, Crossmen Talk, then in GlassWork. In addition to the music of the Top 40 and CHOM, he is already sailing on Steely Dan, Rush, David Bowie, U2, Santana, Deep Purple and Genesis, just to name a few. On the vocal side, he’s inspired by Peter Gabriel, Paul David Hewson (aka Bono), and Joni Mitchell and Amy Winehouse.

Among his achievements he adds the composition of a jingle. Although his connection to the blues remains recent (in the 2000s). Dukes & Kings can count on a first level frontman. Talented, we tell you again!

Photos credit: François Fournier and Lise Paquette

MIKE DUKETTE

Drums and vocals

It is by soaking the jazz music his father listened in the 60s that Mike discovers his sense of rhythm. The eldest of the family was introduced to the drums at the age of 11 inspired by the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and other rock bands of the time. His first show at the age of 18 propelled himself in the wake of bands like Boston, Saga and Styx, and Van Halen with the trio Zed and the Top 40 with Crossmen Talk and GlassWork. In the 90s, we find Mike in a tribute 60s-70s-80s band, City Nights. This band of 12 musicians and singers performs in front of large audiences on the popular scenes of greater Montreal, Quebec City, and even in Europe. He is a seasoned and accomplished drummer.

The greatest influences of this great lover of jazz fusion, funk and progressive rock, comes from Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, Lenny White, Bill Bruford, John Bonham, Phil Collins, Dennis Chambers, Peter Erskine, Dave Weckl, and Billy Cobhan among others.

It is with Twelve Bar Blues in the 2000s that he begins his career as a bluesman. The philosophy of the Dukes & Kings’ drummer: “I am as good as the musicians whom I play with.”

Photos credit: François Fournier and Lise Paquette

GUILLAUME HAMILCAR

Bass

Professional bassist from 2000 to 2007 for different artists in Paris and for his own band.

Like many bass players, he made the leap for Jaco Pastorius, although the love at first sight struck him more for Christian McBride (who accompanied Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny), to name a few.

Guillaume got his start in a tribute band to Steely Dan. It was while learning the bass lines of Chuck Rainey (SD) and Anthony Jackson (accompanist of Al Di Meola, Bireli Lagrene, Michael Jackson and others) that he learned his instrument.

Installed since 2010 in Montreal, he makes a return to his passion for Jazz-Blues-Rock music by joining Dukes & Kings, for the happiness of his audience.

Photos credit: François Fournier and Lise Paquette

YVES LAROCQUE

Guitar

Originally from Montreal, Yves falls into a barrel of music at his birth. He is introduced to the guitar by his father, the latter being a professional guitarist on weekends, who transmits his passion for music. His natural talent and his application to reproduce and interpret as close as possible to the originality and sonority of each tune, whatever the style, make him a guitarist appreciated by his peers and the public.

His most significant influences so far are: Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Page, Johnny Winter, Johnny Winter, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Gilmour David, Angus Young, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, John Mayer, Joe Bonamassa, Andy Timmons and Guthrie Govan, as well as Quebec’s Deno Amodeo (Bad Boyz Boogie).

After a musical journey in several directions such as Rock, Disco, Soul, Funk, Ballads and Hard Rock, it is with 4 de Blues and now, Dukes & Kings, that we find the one who began his career by blowing blues solos to the punch, because it is mainly bluesman’s blood flowing in his veins.
He will dazzle you!

Photos credit: François Fournier and Lise Paquette