“Brother” Jack McDuff (September 17, 1926-January 23, 2001)
Known professionally as “Brother” Jack McDuff, Eugene McDuffy was born in Champaign, IL. He was a famed jazz organist and organ trio band leader. Mr. McDuff started out on bass and piano but became one of the most important players of the Hammond B-3 in the 50s and 60s when soul/jazz and the Hammond were coming into their own. He made over 75 recordings on labels including Prestige, Atlantic, Blue Note and Cadet. Among some of his most well-known albums are The Honeydripper, Tough ‘Duff, Brother Jack Meets the Boss, The Heatin’ System, and Sophisticate Funk. His most well-known group was The Jack McDuff Trio, and he toured with variations of that band most of his life. He recorded with Gene Ammons, Roland Kirk, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Gene Harris among others and is credited with giving guitarist George Benson his first break. Mr. McDuff continued performing until his death.
Resolution Honorary Jack McDuff Way
“If you get hungry then you gotta play for money:” Local black jazz musicians famous and unnoticed. The Daily Illini, Wednesday, April 6, 1977, Spectrum 6.
“Brother” Jack McDuff, Medium
Brother Jack McDuff, Discogs
Count Demon, Downstate Sounds
