The unusual combination of guitar and oboe/English horn provides a unique fusion for the listener. The rhythmical aspects of the guitar alongside the melodic quality of the oboe enables Kuduo to provide an eclectic mix of styles for any occasion. Genres include Latin, jazz, film, theatre, pop and classical.
Both members of the duo bring their individual musical strengths to the ensemble. Gary is a highly experienced performer in a wide variety of modern and contemporary guitar styles, more recently focusing on Latin, jazz and blues, whereas Sue’s professional performing career has been centred around the classical and musical theatre worlds.
Gary & Sue stumbled across the word ‘Kuduo’ when searching the words ‘Kew’ (where they both teach) and ‘duo’. A Kuduo is an ancient Ghanaian brass pot created to store valuable possessions such as gold dust and serving the symbolic purpose of safeguarding their owners’ kra or life force.
Sue is a classically trained oboist and pianist with her career taking her into many genres within the music profession. She has freelanced in many symphony, opera and musical theatre orchestras including for West End productions, UK tours and Dorset Opera. She has also been involved in various types of session work for TV and film. Having been a member of a wide variety of classical chamber ensembles, Sue is now thoroughly enjoying immersing herself in the diversity of musical styles Kuduo brings that are not usually in an oboist’s repertoire.
In addition to her performing career Sue has maintained a strong teaching base in her local area of Kew. Alongside this she has held the post of oboe teacher at various schools and colleges, including Charterhouse, and until its closure in 2020, oboe professor at The Royal Military School of Music (Kneller Hall).
Gary was originally self-taught before going on to study jazz harmony, scoring and improvisation, at a Performing Arts College in Liverpool. During and since his studies he has enjoyed performing at many well-known venues with a wide variety of bands. Throughout his career he has been in demand to work with top producers on a number of vinyl releases, with recordings at many iconic studios, including The Manor in Oxfordshire (Virgin Records). Further to this Gary has appeared on TV playing in well-known dramas such as the BBC’s Born and Bred.
Gary can regularly be found playing jazz, rock, Latin, soul and classical in and around the London area at venues such as Ronnie Scotts, the Pheasantry, the Savoy and the Tate Modern.
As a composer his original compositions and can be heard on most of the online music platforms.
Teaching has also been a key part of Gary’s career, having taught students privately and in both schools and educational institutions for over 25 years.
