Duende Libre Trio with Pedro Vargas and Gail Pettis

Find out more about the incredible artists.

Duende Libre celebrates the connections between jazz and music from Cuba, Brazil, and the Mediterranean. Their stewardship is a natural continuation of decades of dedicated apprenticeship with master musicians from around the world. Their empathic on-stage chemistry, formed through years of performing, touring, and recording together, sets the band apart along with their eclectic sonic palette. Duende Libre is a three-time Earshot Jazz Golden Ear recipient, including 2024 “Northwest Acoustic Jazz Ensemble of the Year.”

Cuban-born percussionist and two-time Grammy nominee, Pedro Vargas Oliva boasts over 20 years of artistic experience. His exceptional talent has led him to perform on both national and international stages, accompanying renowned artists and participating in various musical projects. Among his most notable achievements is his collaboration with the legendary Buena Vista Social Club, establishing him as a prominent figure in the music world. Pedro’s passion for percussion and his ability to blend traditional rhythms with innovative contemporary sounds continue to inspire audiences around the globe.

Whether fronting her own ensemble on the jazz scene in Seattle, collaborating on another band’s recording project, or providing her talents for a major motion picture, Gail Pettis, is renowned for her stunning voice and heartfelt delivery. She has been twice awarded a Golden Ear for “Northwest Vocalist of the Year,” in 2007 and 2010. Pettis’s rich, warm vocals and understated phrasing have been described as “deliciously soulful” by Cadence Magazine.