It's been a decade since, Jazz Trumpeter, Arranger & Composer Duncan Fraser graduated on a music scholarship from Exeter University and came through the ranks of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Duncan is now in demand as a Jazz and session musician on gigs and recordings all over the UK & Europe and his arrangements have been distributed to numerous ensembles all around the world. 

 

Duncan has been fortunate enough to work extensively in London's West End with 'The Blues Brothers'. Alongside completing UK & European tours with various incarnations of the Blues Brothers’ band, Duncan was also in the Band for the West End run of this show in 2015/16 at the Arts Theatre and again in 2017 at the Hippodrome Casino.

 

As well as performing with the Blues Brothers and taking on other live Jazz work, Duncan has an extensive list of musical credits both in London & on tour. These include performances of The Rat Pack Live!, Follies, Into the Woods & A Chorus Line. 

 

As an Arranger & Orchestrator Duncan has written music for many shows & top bands all over the world, including arrangements for The Blues Brothers (West End). This also includes performances of Duncan’s work at the Royal Albert Hall on two occasions, where he was honoured to also conduct the ensembles. Duncan also released his first eBook in 2018, a collection of 10 Trumpet duets based around traditional Christmas Carols. '10 Christmas Duets for Trumpet' is available to download in the Store.

 

Duncan is also active on the London Jazz scene, having lead his own award winning ensemble, The Duncan Fraser Big Band, and now with his new project The Duncan Fraser Septet, who make appearances at some of the city’s best known Jazz clubs. In 2012 Duncan released his first album with the Big Band, Dealing In Wheeler, on Esteem Records. The Septet also have an album (Duncan's 2nd as leader), Soundscapes of Manhattan which was released 24th September 2021 on the Jazzlike label.

 

On top of this Duncan is heavily involved in Jazz education, running workshops alongside the National Youth Jazz Orchestra & National Youth Jazz Collective and directing the St Albans Music School Jazz Collective, Hertfordshire Youth Jazz Ensemble, Hertfordshire Youth Jazz Collective & The University of Hertfordshire Big Band.

​