Joe Duran is a jazz saxophonist and composer based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He performs regularly as a lead alto player in jazz ensembles throughout the region, including the Blue Wisp Big Band, the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. He has performed as a soloist in stylistically varied settings, from sacred performances with the Kentucky Community Chorus to jam band explorations with powerhouse Umphree’s McGee.
His main compositional outlet is Projections, a nine-piece group that explores musical traditions such as classical and electronic music in a jazz setting. He has extensive experience in the big band idiom, including serving as Composer-in-Residence with the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, and with his own big band, Indoor Kid Ensemble, which he started at age 23. He has written extensively for the saxophone, including for the New Third Stream Saxophone Quartet who premiered his composition at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference. His jazz/classical work, Concerto for Saxophone with Saxophone Ensemble (Window Flowers), was premiered by the Sichuan Conservatory Saxophone Ensemble in Chengdu, China in October.
Duran completed his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where he studied composition and jazz performance.