Citizen and traveler of the world and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, cello, keyboards, vocals), Duncan Schmoll currently living in London, originally from South Africa having also spent some time in Chicago.Duncan was 8 years old when he received his first guitar. Encouraged by his older brother to sit down in front of the TV and introduced him to Guns n Roses (Use Your Illusion tour – Live in Paris). Watching Slash’s playing had him mesmerized, not understanding a thing but it all made sense in a way, the mechanics of it and the manipulation of melody. After that experience, he wouldn’t stop asking for a guitar, and his nagging paid off, but on condition that he go to lessons, classical lessons specifically. This was not quite what Duncan had in mind, but decided to go along with it and today I’m glad he's did.Since starting guitar, Duncan continued to play through primary and high school where he took music as a subject. He managed to achieve grade 8 at age 16 (Royal Schools of Music, UK) and also managed to come 2nd in the South African National Guitar Competition at an under 21 level the same year (adjudicated by Stepan Rak). On a classical front, he also reached a grade 6 level on the Cello (was a member of the Regional Youth Orchestra 1998 & 1999 and the University of Pretoria Orchestra 2000 and 2001). At this stage he was also playing bass guitar in a Dixie band (often played functions, weddings and official events), orchestra and in various stage production music sections. Throughout this time he developed his electric guitar playing too.It was in 2006 that Duncan fell in love with blues, and moved from South Africa to Chicago where he stayed the majority if the year playing jams at various venues (Rosa’s Lounge, House of Blues, Buddy Guy’s, Kingston Mines, B.L.U.E.S), learning from watching everyone around him what it was all about to feel the soul of the music. A changing point in his life and passionately pursued, from history to culture to what music today would be like without its influence. That had also been a good grounding for jazz studies which he is currently focusing on.After leaving the states in December 2006 to pursue music in London, he has played various venues throughout London including bars, clubs, restaurants, hotels as well as in upper UK (Birmingham, Essex, Edinburgh) and abroad in France, Germany, Holland, Italy and Greece. He currently also runs a few residencies, two of which are starting and hosting a blues jam at The New Cross Inn on Tuesdays and a blues/funk/fusion jam at Powers Live Music Bar in Kilburn on Wednesday.Experienced in music production, his composition 'Blind Man' is being used for the New Zealand documentary 'Last Paradise' (www.lastparadisefilm.com) and he has begun arranging pieces up to an orchestral level under the tuition of Audrey Riley (string arranger for Muse, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Coldplay and The Cure to name a few)
He is currently completing my B.Mus in Contemporary Music Performance at The Institute of Contemporary Music in London where he has also done lectures on group improvisation and jamming.Always open for new ideas and opportunities, Duncan Schmoll is determined to make a big mark in the music industry through his passionate and insightful approach.Get in touch!SUNBURSTTANGO EN SKAISEVILLEUNA LIMOSNA POR EL AMOR DE DIOS (GRAN TREMELO)
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