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Chris Duarte Group

Following in the footsteps of fellow Austinite Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chris Duarte developed a muscular, colorful blend of blues, jazz, and rock that he showcased on Texas Sugar/Strat Magik, his 1994 debut for Silvertone. Texas Sugar/Strat Magik elevated Duarte into the top ranks of guitar aficionados, a reputation he'd continue to cultivate over the years through steady work on the road and studio. By 2003, he gave his supporting musicians equal billing, releasing Romp under the name the Chris Duarte Group. He'd return to a solo credit for 2023's Ain't Giving Up. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Chris Duarte started teaching himself how to play guitar at the age of 14. Within a year, he was playing local clubs. After he turned 16, he headed to Austin, where he got himself a Fender Stratocaster, the same make of guitar as his idol, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Soon, Vaughan graduated to the national stage, leaving an opportunity for Duarte to work the same clubs as his hero. Following a spell in a jazz band, the guitarist gravitated toward the blues. He worked steadily in Texas, putting out the indie album Chris Duarte & the Bad Boys in 1987, but not getting a big break until the early '90s when he signed to the BMG subsidiary Silvertone. Duarte released Texas Sugar/Strat Magik, his Silvertone debut, in 1994. The album earned him considerable attention among jazz fans and guitarists, as evidenced by him being named "Best New Talent" in Guitar Player's Reader's Poll in 1995. Tailspin Headwhack slowed his momentum in 1997. After its release, he moved to Zoe/Rounder for 2000's Love Is Greater Than Me, sticking with the label through 2003's Romp. Duarte moved to Blues Bureau International/Shrapnel for 2007's Blue Velocity and the label would remain his home for the next decade. Between 2007 and 2014, he regularly released new records, wrapping up his stint on the label with 2014's Lucky 13. Starting with 2011's Blues in the Afterburner, he credited his albums to the Chris Duarte Group; by Lucky 13, the band featured drummer John McKnight and Dustin Sargent. After delivering The Fan Club in 2016, Duarte returned to solo status for the rocking Ain't Giving Up in 2023. Ain't Giving Up marked a reunion with Dennis Herring, the guitarist who produced Texas Sugar/Strat Magik back in 1994.
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Discography

11 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller

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