Jack McDuff to Headline Blowout VI
by P-Dub
After a five-year absence, CUJBA welcomes native son Jack McDuff back
to C-U to headline the 6th Annual All-Star Jazz and Blues Blowout. This
year's event will take place Sunday, March 16, 1997, at the new Holiday
Inn Hotel & Conference Center.
McDuff was born September 17, 1926, in Champaign. He began leading his
own groups in the early 50s. Before the end of that decade he played and
recorded with Willis Jackson, Sonny Stitt, and Gene Ammons as well as Rahsaan
Roland Kirk. In the early 60s when organ combos were the rage, McDuff's
bands were the proving grounds for many future stars. Guitarists Grant Green,
Phil Upchurch, and Pat Martino were all plectorists under McDuff's tutelage.
Tenors Joe Lovano and Houston Person also worked in McDuff's bands. The
best known and most popular of McDuff's ensembles was the one from the 60s
featuring Red Holloway on tenor, George Benson on guitar, and Joe Dukes
on drums. The same ensemble, with Benson occasionally replaced by Phil Upchurch,
released a Concord CD in 1992 entitled "Color Me Blue."
After residing in the mecca of all jazz, New York City, for a number
of years, McDuff has remarried and relocated in the Midwest. He now lives
and works out of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. "New" seems to
be the operative word for McDuff in the 90s - a new wife, Kathy; a new home
base, and a new record label, Concord Jazz.
In a career that spans over 40 years and includes over 80 releases, McDuff
has seen his share of hills and valleys. The 60s were hot, then things fell
off for the beast known as the Hammond B-3 when fusion came into vogue and
the avant garde turned away from older styles.
But the late 80s saw the emergence of some youngsters wrestling the beast.
Joey DeFrancesco, Barbara Dennerlein, and Larry Goldings have drawn both
new and old fans to the B-3. And every one of the youngsters points to McDuff
as inspiration.
His latest release on Concord, "It's About Time," is an organ
duel between Jack McDuff and Joey DeFrancesco and their respective bands.
It features four of McDuff's originals including an extended version of
the classic "Rock Candy." At this rate Jack could take the title
of his '92 Muse release "Another Real Good'un," and use it for
any of his new recordings.
Speaking of "Another Real Good'un," it features Champaign natives
Ron and Cecil Bridgewater. Ron has assembled a fine group of local players
to back McDuff at the Blowout. Ron will be on sax, Kevin Turner on guitar,
and Kevin Hart on drums, promising to be a huge smash to close out the 6th
Annual Blowout. Don't miss it!