Artist:Champion Jack Dupree
Song:Junker Blues
Album:New Orleans Barrelhouse Boogie
Champion Jack Dupree was known mostly for his boogie woogie piano. He was fun to listen to within that framework but I wouldn't describe him as versatile. He was born William Dupree July 23, 1909 in New Orleans and was orphaned at age two. He learned to play piano from barrelhouse legend Willie Hall. But Dupree's first career was as a professional boxer. He moved to the midwest and during the 30s fought over a hundred bouts. He also acquired the Champion Jack Dupree nickname. He first recorded in 1940 for Okeh Records. This Columbia comp covers those recordings. Junker Blues was recorded in 1942. The drug references in the song kept it from being a hit but Dave Bartholomew & Fats Domino cleaned it up and it became Fats' 1949 hit The Fat Man. Dupree recorded for various labels in the 50s and moved to Europe in 1959. He recorded for European labels like Storyville through the 60s & 70s until he moved home to New Orleans in 1990 and recorded for Bullseye Blues until his death on Jan. 21, 1992 at age 83. So if you like boogie woogie piano, you should check out Champion Jack Dupree. Here's Champion Jack Dupree performing Pinetop's Boogie Woogie in France in the 60s.
No comments:
Post a Comment