September 17, 1926 – January 23, 2001

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Jack McDuff was born on September 17, 1926, in Champaign, Illinois.

A powerhouse jazz organist whose fiery grooves and blues-soaked style made him one of the defining voices of soul jazz. Born in Champaign, Illinois, he first trained as a bassist, but in the early 1950s he shifted to the Hammond B-3 organ, an instrument on which he quickly developed a commanding and unmistakable voice.

McDuff rose to prominence in the late 1950s leading his own groups and soon became a central figure in the organ jazz movement. His breakthrough came with a string of Prestige Records releases in the 1960s, including Brother Jack and The Honeydripper. He also became known as a mentor, hiring a young George Benson as his guitarist, helping launch Benson’s career.

Over the decades, McDuff’s playing remained a fiery blend of gospel, blues, and hard bop, earning him a reputation as one of the most exciting live performers of his era. With a career that spanned more than 40 albums, Jack McDuff’s name remains synonymous with the soulful swing of the Hammond organ in jazz.

Here is a live performance in France by Jack McDuff together with his quartet in 1964.

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