Trumpeter, Vocalist, Bandleader

Duke Heitger has become one of the most sought after players on the international scene, performing and recording around the world. Some career highlights include regular appearances on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” featured performances at Lincoln Center’s “Midsummer’s Night Swing” series, Minneapolis’s Orchestra Hall and, as a member of the Statesmen of Jazz, at the Caesarea Jazz Festival in Israel.

While not on the road, Heitger can be found on the Steamboat Natchez leading the Steamboat Stompers. This position, which he has held since 1998, makes his tenure as bandleader the longest in the boat’s history.

While well known among jazz enthusiasts through many recordings, he also made his mark on popular music with his trumpet work on Squirrel Nut Zippers million selling disc “Hot,” earning him a platinum record.