Jack McDuff
Jack McDuff, born Eugene McDuffy on September 17, 1926, in Champaign, Illinois, was a highly regarded American jazz organist. He developed an early interest in music and was primarily self-taught in playing the piano and organ. McDuff later pursued further education in music at a college in Cincinnati, which helped shape his musical career.
McDuff's career began in Chicago in the late 1940s, where he played in various venues and honed his skills. He initially started as a bassist but soon transitioned to the organ, making a significant impact on the jazz scene. He emerged as a prominent figure in the jazz world during the 1960s and was known for his vibrant, soulful style on the Hammond organ, which became his signature instrument.
Throughout his career, McDuff was recognized for his abilities not only as an organist but also as a bandleader and arranger. He was noted for his funky and engaging performances, contributing greatly to the jazz genre and influencing many musicians.
In the 1970s, he experimented with electronic keyboards, fusion, and more ambitious arrangements, recording for labels such as Atlantic and Blue Note.
After a "lean period" in the early 1980s, his career was revitalized by the 1988 album The Re-Entry. He continued recording for Concord Jazz throughout the 1990s.
Jack McDuff continued to perform and record music until his later years, leaving behind a legacy of influential works in jazz. He passed away on January 23, 2001, but remains celebrated as one of the top organists to have emerged in the jazz scene, particularly after the popularity of Jimmy Smith.
McDuff's contributions to the music industry are remembered for their innovation and style, marking him as a key figure in the evolution of jazz organ music. His work continues to inspire new generations of musicians.
Kisses
A2 Say Sumpin' Nice 4:02
A3 Primavera 6:33
A4 Night Fantasies 3:54
B1 Pocket Change 8:18
B2 Nasty 7:31
B3 Tunisian Affair 7:30
Label: Sugar Hill Records – SH 247
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Soul-Jazz, Jazz-Funk
Jack McDuff's 1980 album Kisses is a soulful, funky jazz-funk record featuring his "Heatin' System" ensemble with Joe Farrell on sax and Phil Upchurch on guitar, offering smooth, crossover soul with spacey fusion arrangements and sensual analog sounds, a departure from his earlier funk, showcasing McDuff's versatile keyboards in a slick late-70s style akin to smooth jazz, with tracks like "Say Sumpin' Nice" and "Night Fantasies".
The album was produced, arranged, and written by Jack McDuff. Some sources also associate George Benson with the production or songwriting on specific tracks like "Say Sumpin' Nice". It features McDuff's signature organ/keyboards, Phil Upchurch's guitar, and Joe Farrell's sax, bass, drums, percussion. It is smooth, soulful, funky, groovy, with slick fusion elements.
It is often cited as a hidden or marvelous "unknown" record from an era when jazz musicians were experimenting with more commercial, danceable soul sounds. While original vinyl pressings remain the primary format, Japanese paper sleeve CD editions have also been released for collectors.
The album represents McDuff's move into a more polished, fusion-oriented sound, fitting the evolving jazz-funk landscape of the time - smooth, soulful, funky, groovy, with slick fusion elements.
Sophisticated Funk
Bass – Frank Prescod
Congas – Craig Derry
Drums – Scott Schoer
Guitar – Robert Banks, Walter Morris
Saxophone, Flute – Joe Farrell
Written-By – B. Jones, J. McDuff
6:00
A2 Ju Ju
Bass – Frank Prescod
Congas, Percussion – Craig Derry, Scott Saunders
Drums – Clarence Oliver
Guitar, Percussion – Billy Jones
Saxophone, Flute – Joe Farrell
Written-By – Billy Jones
6:49
A3 To Be Named Later
Bass – Frank Prescod
Congas, Percussion – Craig Derry
Drums – Clarence Oliver
Guitar – Billy Jones
Saxophone, Flute – Joe Farrell
Written-By – B. Jones, J. McDuff
4:50
A4 Summer Dream
Backing Vocals – Billy Jones, Craig Derry
Bass – Frank Prescod
Congas, Percussion – Craig Derry
Drums – Ted McKinsey
Guitar – Billy Jones
Saxophone, Flute – Joe Farrell
Written-By – B. Jones, J. McDuff
4:50
B1 Jack's Boogie
Bass – Frank Prescod
Congas, Percussion – Craig Derry, Scott Saunders
Guitar – Billy Jones
Piano – Brian Cuomo
Written-By – B. Jones, J. McDuff
3:32
B2 Mini Pads
Bass – Frank Prescod
Congas, Percussion – Craig Derry
Drums – Arnold Ramsey
Guitar – Billy Jones
Written-By – B. Jones, B. Cuomo
5:50
B3 Electric Surf Board
Bass – Frank Prescod
Congas, Percussion – Craig Derry
Drums – Joe Corsello
Guitar – Billy Jones
Saxophone, Flute – Joe Farrell
Written-By – Jack McDuff
5:17
B4 Mannix Theme
Bass – Frank Prescod
Congas, Percussion – Craig Derry
Drums – Ted McKinsey
Guitar – Robert Banks
Written-By – Schisrin
Label: Chess – ACH-19004
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Jazz-Funk, Fusion
Sophisticated Funk (1976), released on Chess Records, is a slick, electric jazz-funk album where Brother Jack McDuff swaps his signature Hammond B-3 organ for electric keyboards, embracing a polished, fusion-oriented sound. Produced with a soulful, smooth groove often compared to CTI Records or early 70s fusion, it features arranged compositions rather than pure organ jamming, often featuring saxophone from Joe Farrell.
Recorded at All Platinum Studios in New Jersey, the album is a blend of 70s funk, fusion, and smooth jazz with complex, arranged orchestration, focusing on keyboards and electric pianos instead of the traditional Hammond organ, often incorporating smooth basslines and phaser effects, featuring guitarist/arranger Billy Jones and saxophonist Joe Farrell.
Key Tracks: Includes "[Theme From Electric Surfboard]" (a re-recording), "[Dit Da Dit]," "[Ju Ju]," and a version of the "[Mannix Theme]".
The album is considered a "lost electric groover" that presents a more modern, commercial sound, although some critics initially found it too far removed from his earlier hard-bop style, note Wikipedia and Dusty Groove. Despite mixed reviews upon release, it is now regarded as a strong example of 70s jazz-funk, according to Discogs users.