Feeling jazzy

Student Activities hosted a CD-release concert Tuesday, Sept. 27 in the LaHaye Event Space for Liberty University graduate student David Duque’s five-song jazz album, “Music by David Duque.”

Duque is from Dallas, Texas and is currently studying pastoral counseling.

Duque began his time on stage by expressing his gratitude to all those who helped him through the process of creating his extended player (EP).

He shared that the process had been long and difficult but worthwhile in the end.

“It has always been a dream of mine to be able to record and release music so that people can take and enjoy it,” Duque said.

He shared that his favorite artist was John Mayer, and performed Mayer’s song, “Something Like Olivia.”

Duque also shared many of his original works from his EP.

Duque performed a few songs acoustically, and was then joined by a full band.

Both Haley Greene and Peter Collins performed before Duque took the stage.

Greene began the evening by singing original music. She is a Liberty student but is taking the year off to be able to focus more on her performing.

One of her original songs that she played was titled “Day One.”

“This song came from the idea of the many times in our lives that we have to start over,” Greene said.

Greene was followed in performance by Peter Collins, who is a business student from New Jersey.

Collins played his acoustic guitar and played original music and classic jazz.

“The Sky” was an original song Collins played that made the audience snap along.

“Love Like” was the final song he performed, which was written about the love of God.

“This song touches on how cool it is to be loved by God and how there is nobody that can love like him,”
Collins said.

After performing several songs, Duque called Collins to join him on stage where the two sang a rendition of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” mixed with Shawn Mendes’ “I Know What You Did
Last Summer.”

Duque got the audience involved by having them stand and sing along with the chorus of one of his songs.

Brandee Davis, a senior at Liberty, was impressed by Duque’s performance.

“It was awesome to see his passion and how much he puts into his music,” Davis said. “I’m really glad I came.”

Duque finished his performance by thanking all those who supported him from the beginning of his career and those that helped fund his project.

He credited his career to the grace of God before introducing his final song of the night.

“Regardless of where you are, there is always hope in Christ,” Duque said.

WHITTAKER is a feature reporter.