Known throughout the United States and in Europe for his improvisation and multi-styled performances, Steve Duke has premiered, commissioned and recorded a wide variety of acoustic and computer/acoustic solo works. Allan Kozinn of the New York Times describes his playing as "Stephen Duke played the music with a gorgeous tone and moved easily between, say, the Coltranesque leaps and the supple fluidity of the Hodges pastiche." Duke's recordings can be heard Sony/Columbia, Centaur, Capstone, and EMF. Steve Duke also is nationally recognized for his development in applications of the Feldenkrais Method to increase awareness and efficiency in performance. In 1989, he developed the first curricular course in applying the Feldenkrais Method to music performance in the United States. He has worked with hundreds of musicians in reducing tension in performance. Mr. Duke is a Professor of Music and Distinguished Research Professor at Northern Illinois University.

"What I like about my unlacquered 82Z Alto is that it has incredible resonance and projection. Both bottom register and the altissimo register are clear and speak easily. Switching from the unlaquered neck to a gold plated neck allows me to go between jazz and classical music without effort. This saxophone is the best in both worlds."