Meet the Band
Duende Libre is an award-winning jazz trio whose original music celebrates the connections between global rhythms from Cuba, Brazil, and the Mediterranean with the American jazz tradition. Each having apprenticed with direct descendants and master musicians of these traditions, they consider themselves disciples of their teachers. The result: A euphoric new jazz that honors its historical roots, pushing open the boundaries of genre to invoke a powerful sonic freedom.
Comprising core members Alex Chadsey (bandleader and keys), Jeff Busch (percussion), and Farko Dosumov (bass), Duende Libre is collectively influenced by the trio’s direct connections with master musicians including Clinton Fearon, Dudley Nesbitt, Dave Hassel, Jesse Bannister, Chucho Valdés, Carlos Santana, Martha Gonzalez, Quetzal Flores, Joe Santiago, and Marc Seales.
“Each member’s experiences are vital as they filter West African traditional rhythms through their own hands, voices, minds, bodies, each song as much choreography as a composition,” PopMatters wrote. “Hopeful in sound as well as in ideological foundation, [the band creates music] full of heart and historical multitudes.”
Pop Matters calls it “globally-inspired jazz with dimension.” You will encounter sizzling rhythms and grooving basslines, experimental meters and irresistible melodic hooks, all aglow with the technical virtuosity earned by decades of devotion to their craft.
The band effectively—and uniquely—calls attention to the space between contemporary jazz traditions and broader musical influences from around the globe. Informed by a cumulative century of devoted study, they answer to this with emphatic (and euphoric) sonic interpretations that effectively enrich the collective language of jazz itself.
CORE MEMBERS
ALEX CHADSEY - KEYS / BAND LEADER
Alex is a Seattle-based jazz pianist, composer, and educator with over 20 years of professional experience. During his formative years he apprenticed with master musicians including the GRAMMY award-winning band Quetzal, legendary bassist Joe “Timba” Santiago, reggae icon Clinton Fearon, and Mexican son jarocho artist Laura Rebolloso. His studies included trips to Ghana, Mexico, and Cuba, where he had a lesson with Chucho Valdés at his home in Havana. In 2020 he graduated from the University of Washington with a Masters in Music where mentors included Marc Seales, Cuong Vu, and Steve Rodby. As an educator and writer he is focused on developing a pedagogy that draws on the unique power of music to catalyze personal growth and social change. His work in this area is influenced by his own personal experience as a musician and organizer, combined with the work and ideas of mentors including MacArthur fellow Martha Gonzalez, Quetzal Flores, and Ed Sarath.
JEFF BUSCH - PERCUSSION
Jeff is an exuberant drummer/percussionist, vocalist, and composer whose passion for soulful music of varied traditions has led him to perform with jazz, blues, and gospel groups as well as calypso, samba, and Cuban jazz ensembles. Between 1988-96, Jeff studied fine art and music in Leeds, England. He studied percussion and drum set with Dave Hassel, calypso with steel drum master Dudley Nesbitt, and later Brazilian percussion with Jesse Bannister. In 1997, Jeff spent six months in Brazil and studied with a variety of percussionists. Busch enjoys a cult following and continues to perform with a variety of groups in the Seattle area in addition to Duende Libre, including the Jovino Santos Neto quinteto, Cuban jazz groups Rumba Abierta and Tumbao, the well-known FIRST AME church, and Cuban dance band Mango Son.
FARKO DOSUMOV - BASS
Farko was born and raised in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Farko and his identical twin Feodor began playing the classical guitar when they were ten years old. After winning the green card lottery in 1999 Farko moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. Farko later attended Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and specialized in jazz bass. Since then, he has played with many talented artists and groups throughout the world: Feodor Dosumov, Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder, Carlos Santana, Jonny Lang, Roger Fisher (Heart), Lee Oscar, Joe Doria, Danny Godinez Band, James Howard Band, Randy Oxford Band, Brooke Lizotte, Istvan Rez, Jazzukha, Pura Fe, Tetrabox, Acoustic Fantasy, Marriott Brothers, Flowmotion and others.
The trio is occasioned by guest performances from award-winning chanteuse Chava Mirel (who, alongside Chadsey, joined Clinton Fearon's band in 2013) and inimitable tenor Frank Anderson.
Formed by deep connections to Jewish and West African styles, the singers’ ebullient and masterful vocal techniques enrich Duende Libre’s live performance with even greater vibrancy. “To see the band live is to get a sense of the deep respect they have for each other, and the joy they take in connecting with each other and the audience” one critic wrote for Earshot.
