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Jack McDuff

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Jack McDuff, born Eugene McDuffy, was an American jazz organist and bandleader. He was born on 17 September 1926 in Champaign, Illinois, and was known as Brother Jack and later as Captain Jack. He began as a bassist, including in Joe Farrell's group, and was encouraged by Willis Jackson, in whose band he also played bass in the late 1950s. Then he switched to the organ and attracted the attention of the label Prestige. Soon he was leading groups of his own, often as an organ trio. He gave the guitarist George Benson his first big chance.

Music and breakthrough

He was at his most prominent in the era of hard bop and soul jazz in the 1960s. At Prestige he recorded many albums, such as his debut Brother Jack in 1960, The Honeydripper in 1961 with Jimmy Forrest and Grant Green, Brother Jack Meets the Boss in 1962 with Gene Ammons and Screamin' in 1962 with Leo Wright and Kenny Burrell. Atlantic followed, and in the 1970s Blue Note. He recorded To Seek a New Home from 1970 in England with the blues shouter Jimmy Witherspoon.

Influence

Many jazz musicians had a hard time when interest in jazz and blues declined in the late 1970s and in the 1980s. In 1988 a new period began with The Reentry for Muse, followed by Concord Jazz. George Benson played on Color Me Blue in 1992. McDuff kept working despite health problems and toured Japan in 2000. He died in 2001. He showed how the Hammond organ with a trio can form a swinging, bluesy band.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to The Honeydripper and notice the organ and the guitar: how do they give each other room for a solo, and what role does the saxophone play in it?

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists