Chicago Underground Duo

The Chicago Underground Duo is an enduring avant electro-ascoustic jazz project. Composed of trumpeter/electronicist/multi-instrumentalist Rob Mazurek and drummer/percussionist/multi-instrumentalist Chad Taylor, they created the band as an outgrowth of their Chicago Underground project. The duo carries its musical aesthetic across other manifestations including Chicago Underground Trio, Quartet, and Orchestra. CUD's debut album, 1998's 12 Degrees of Freedom, was recorded with guitarist, Jeff Parker (also a member of Trio and Quartet). 2000's Synesthesia and 2002's Axis and Alignment were cut as a duo. They toured the U.S. and Europe shortly thereafter. 2006's In Praise of Shadows got airplay in Europe. 2010's Boca Negra was produced by Matthew Lux, who also helmed 2012's Age of Energy. Following 2014's Locus, the duo went on hiatus but collaborated often on Mazurek's other recording projects. Taylor and Mazurek reactivated CUD in 2024. In August 2025, they issued Hyperglyph on International Anthem.