Diggs Duke does not create music based on the current trends of the world, trends, record companies, or the music industry; instead, Diggs Duke follows his own interests and explores the music he truly wants to make.

Mitsuru Ogawa, Ele King (September 17, 2020)

The clue's in the name, he tells me: he digs Duke Ellington...Pioneers like Robert Johnson, Billie Holliday, Marvin Gaye, Thelonius Monk and Coltrane are some of the rocks upon which Diggs Duke has built his house.

Jason Holmes, Huffington Post (September 9, 2014)

I had the distinct pleasure of hearing Jonathan at the piano during a reception last year at the Art Association of Harrisburg...I believe that Jonathan Diggs Duke is fast becoming a Harrisburg treasure. Jazz impresario, man about town, and a true bon vivant, he has attracted a fervent following…

Bob MacGinnes, The Burg (January 31, 2023)

On Civil Circus, Duke reverts to the soulful sound he employed on Anxious, yet the vibe here is firmly rooted in jazz. Album opener "Busker", with its mix of saxophones and live drums, works well in intimate spaces and carries a strong hip-hop knock. While some of the tracks are traditional in scope

Marcus J. Moore, Pitchfork (December 3, 2015)

McFarlane headlined at London's XOYO club with the American singer/pianist Diggs Duke opening, the latter indicating with his own kind of supple soul-jazz originals and a fervent interpretation of Gil Scott Heron's We Almost Lost Detroit that he may also have planted the seeds of an eager following

John Fordham, The Guardian (February 13, 2014)

DC jazz gent Diggs Duke has been rather elusive for the most part of this year. Back in February he released a short video for his masterpiece single “The Pinnacle (Of Class and Taste),” but then he went into hiding, deleting his Twitter account and all.

Rob Milton, Soulbounce (June 23, 2015)