Percussionist Jack "Jakito" Duncan is a dynamic performer and dedicated educator who is recognized internationally  for his work as a pioneer in the study and promotion of Afro-Cuban and African music. His never-ending quest for knowledge and belief in finding it at the source has taken him to Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Gambia, where he studied with Master Drummers Dou Dou N'Diaye Rose and Petit Toure Director of the National Ballet of Senegal. 

From the roots of rhythm in Africa Jack has traveled to places such as Cuba and Colombia where these rhythms have had major influences on local music. Jack studied extensively in Cuba with the "The Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba" and "Los Muñequitos de Matanzas" as well as legendary Cuban percussionists Changuito , Anga , Julio "Padrino" Davalos, Regino Jimenez and the list goes on.  

Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba

Los Muñequitos de Matanzas

Julio "Padrino" Davalos

Jack's dynamic and sophisticated percussion playing has earned him a National and international reputation. He has been sought out by many top artists in North America (Chicago, Donna Summers, Ricardo Lemvo & the Makina Loca) to contribute his unique skills and experience for both stage performances and studio recordings. Jack was a featured performer at the Havana Jazz Plaza Festival with the late Pucho Lopez and has performed with world renowned musicians including Chucho Valdes, Arturo Sandoval and J.J Johnson.  He is also a founding member of Hugh Fraser's Vancouver Ensemble of Jazz Improvisation and performs with John Korsrud's Hard Rubber Orchestra, Orquesta Goma Dura, Drum & Light Orchestra and  Zapato Negro . Jack has appeared on over 60 CDs, receiving a Juno Award for his work on Alpha 'YAYA' Diallo's album "The Messenger". Jack has been involved in music soundtracks and as an expert music advisor for Television shows "Sentinal" " Saved" "The L Word" and Movie soundtracks, most notably the Grammy and Oscar Award winning animated movie "Ratatouille" Disney Pixar.