El Duque " Born in the rural countryside of Monte Plata near Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic in 1972, gifted singer/guitarist Joan Soriano has recently captured the attention of two American documentary filmmakers and a broad audience of World Music enthusiasts. He was featured in Alex Wolfe’s critically acclaimed musical documentary, “Santo Domingo Blues,” and is the main subject and star in Adam Taub’s forthcoming documentary, “El Duque (The Duke).” Soriano is an emerging Dominican star and is also featured on The Rough Guide/World Music Network’s “Bachata” compilation alongside several established Dominican legendary musicians.
As a child, Soriano’s hands were protected by his father from the dangers of agricultural work after it was discovered that he had a talent for the guitar. He made his first guitar from a discarded metal box and a fishing line and formed a band with his young brothers and sisters. Over time, Soriano nurtured his talent by working with and playing with some of the Dominican Republic’s greatest classic merengue and bachata musicians. These styles are an important part of Dominican culture yet draw upon a variety of musical influences from Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. Soriano is a practitioner of Afro-Dominican traditional palo and gaga, and he blends these percussive styles with his bachata, imparting his music with fresh vigor.
Whereas much of the music exported out of the Dominican Republic has a pop sound, Soriano’s artistry preserves the traditional and classic styles of Dominican music – rare for today’s generation of younger musicians.
Music 
El Duque " Born in the rural countryside of Monte Plata near Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic in 1972, gifted singer/guitarist Joan Soriano has recently captured the attention of two American documentary filmmakers and a broad audience of World Music enthusiasts. He was featured in Alex Wolfe’s critically acclaimed musical documentary, “Santo Domingo Blues,” and is the main subject and star in Adam Taub’s forthcoming documentary, “El Duque (The Duke).” Soriano is an emerging Dominican star and is also featured on The Rough Guide/World Music Network’s “Bachata” compilation alongside several established Dominican legendary musicians.
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