Is John Duarte still alive?
On October 2, 1919, John William Duarte was conceived. He was a writer, guitarist, and composer from Britain. Although Duarte was born in Sheffield, England, he moved to Manchester when he was six years old. Manchester Central High School (1931–1955) and Manchester University Faculty of Technology (1936–1940) provided Duarte with an education. He was a…
On October 2, 1919, John William Duarte was conceived. He was a writer, guitarist, and composer from Britain.
Although Duarte was born in Sheffield, England, he moved to Manchester when he was six years old.
Manchester Central High School (1931–1955) and Manchester University Faculty of Technology (1936–1940) provided Duarte with an education.
He was a practising chemist up until 1969, when Len Williams, the father of John Williams, convinced him to give up his career in chemistry in favour of dedicating himself entirely to music. Terence “Terry” Usher (1934-6) provided him with his sole official musical training in jazz guitar; the rest he picked up on his own.
He also performed music of several genres professionally as a trumpeter and double bassist, in addition to his regular jazz gigs up until 1953.
Williams senior founded the Spanish Guitar Centre in London, where Duarte was a teacher.
The young John Williams studied with Duarte there for three years before enrolling in the Royal College of Music.
Williams recognized Duarte’s early influence by incorporating his transcriptions of Bach’s cello suites in his initial recordings, as well as Variations on a Catalan Folk Song, Op. 25, one of Duarte’s most well-known and frequently performed works.
Is John Duarte still alive?
John Duarte is not alive. He died of cancer at the age of 85.
