I had the incredible honor of being with Duffy in the early 80s when he was Jazz Artist In Residence at Valdosta State for an entire year and got to play with him every day. Great player and even better person!
Thanks for all the great music, your spirited presentations and great stories. So glad to have known you. An era ends! Rest in peace and enjoy God's music.
Thank you for posting this! I was lucky to get to see Duffy play a few times but never had the pleasure of hearing him talk. Such a pleasure to discover that his personality and attitude were perfectly reflected in his super-joyous playing. It’s a shame to loose his beautiful demeanor and groovilicious playing when we need them the most, but the spirit remains. Thank you SO much and happy travels Duffy!
Im so fortunate to have met him in person, i remember him being such a bubbly personality. I learned so much from him in such a small time. I wish i couldve met his father. He spoke very fondly of him even sharing a heartfelt story about sitting in with his fathers friends at such a young age. Even shedding a tear , actually i dont remember if it was a tear or if it was sweat from his brow. He put every fiber that he could control in his body towards intensity of his connection with the drums or the bass. It was one of the most impressive displays of musical intent and concentration I had ever witnessed first hand. I wish i could replay the time spent with his even if it was just an audio recording. Luckily i have my memories of him. I will never be able to listen to any version of I cant stop loving you and not this of the joy this man gave me just being in the room with him . Its sad to think that yesterday I had a conversation about what i remember him being like. When i heard the news i was besides myself, but i cant get his smile out of my head and his happiness even in that memory is infectious, cant help but smiling.
Not to mention this cat could sing incredibly well while playing a deep jazz beat... a rarity and a high level of coordination to pull that off. RIP Duffy. You are loved and will be sadly missed.
First time I saw Duffy he was a newcomer on the Kansas City Five with Count Bassie, Zoot Sims, Roy Eldrige, Eaton Cleavland, wow, what a groove that was. Thanks for posting, RIP Duffy.
It makes me sad to read this. Duffy Jackson was long time lead drummer of Count Basie Orchestra and one of the greatest swing and big band drummers of all times.😥 RIP . Thank you for the compilation.
Thanks for posting this dedication to Duffy! First met Duffy back in my Dad's music store, Maina's Music in Hollywood, FL back in 1964 or '65 and we hung out all summer (when I'd visit during the summers), and we'd hang out in drum practice/lesson room and we'd play tunes together (me on clarinet), then Duffy on Bass and then piano!! What great lessons! Then seeing him kick the Paul Butterfield band in Ft. Lauderdale when his Dad, Chubby was on Bass. Wow!! Eventually saw him in Chicago with Basie's band (first time I saw and heard Ella too!) when with Maynard's Band in '79 (think that was at the NAMM show). Great memories with both Duffy & Dad playing with them in Hallandale, FL at a club on the beach, and so many others. When moving here to Chattanooga after I retired from being a band director for 32 years I spoke to Duffy and we spoke about playing together either in Nashville or here in Chat., was excited... but it wasn't meant to be. You will be missed, Duffy... You created a lot of great memories for so many, R.I.P.
I first met Duffy when he was 15 or 16 years old. A consummate jazz guy even back then. I Had the pleasure of arranging/producing 2 albums for him, and his dad, Chubby made a cameo appearance on 1 track while they did a scat singing duet. What a pleasure to have known and worked with both of them. RIP
A great drummer will make a band feel and sound great! Being the son of a bassist no wonder his time and role were so finally tuned in! Thanks for the video.
When in college, 45 yrs ago, Duffy came by to teach a clinic, but the night before we all went to see him with the college A band at a local club. The only drummer I ever saw whose fills were so strong and directional that it seemed to force the air through the horns. He was magnanimous and kind, as well as a great spirit and musician.
Awww Man...This year has completely sucked so far!!! We've lost some truly iconic musicians this year... Swing In Peace Duffy, you will truly be missed Sir. May God Bless him and his family & Friends during this time... Thank you so much @jazz video guy for posting this and keeping us all informed, I can see Pauly Cohen welcoming Duffy into Heaven and showing him around...You know there is going to be one helluva swingin gig up there tonight on the Main Stage!!!
Just hearing about this. This is very sad. Had the honour of meeting and chatting with his dad who was a real kick, the youngest 80 year old I ever met. I always wanted to meet Duffy and tell him but I didn't get the chance :(. Peace and condolences to his family and friends.
Very sad to hear Duffy has passed! The first week I moved to Vegas I was playing at the famous Tender Trap with Vegas greats, Adelaide Robbins, Buddy Clark, Jimmy Cook, Carl Saunders and others. Duffy was in town with Basie. He came in and ask if he could play a number on drums, then he moved to bass and then piano and sang! He brought the house down and said it was a night he would never forget! I surely won’t! RIP Duffy!
Hello from Las Vegas. When I first met Mr. Jackson, "Duffy", it was in Hallendale Beach, Florida, ," TheHideaway Beach Hotel" (1975 ). I new what we were going to see that night because we could watch him on television every Sunday night for a year on the Sammy Davis Jr. variety show called "Sammy and Company", backing up the likes of : Sarah Vaughn, Count Basie, Dizzy, etc. . What I didn't know about was this "Father and Son Show", Simply called "The Chubby and Duffy Band". It was the most fun you could have with your clothes on ! ( So to speak ). It made all the newspapers, and brought out all the musicians from miles around. Bear in mind, I had just seen and got to meet and speak with Mr. Buddy Rich that same year!. ( They were very dear friends, so much so that around this same time one night I had the "Thrill of a Lifetime", as a drummer, to be at a Buddy Rich Concert in Boca Raton, FL., where Mr. Rich introduced "Duffy" to the audience, and then invited him to sit in on "That Rottin Kid" arrangement, Drum Solo and everything!, man you could just see how much they loved each other!. In addition to all that, on that first meeting, Duffy invited me to "Sit In" with he and his dads band ( "C Jam Blues" ). Well what happened next was Duffy proceeded to start playing piano, and then seamlessly switch to his dads upright "Ampeg Baby Bass", the audience went wild. From that moment on I was "Hooked" on the "Jackson's". I spent decades being inspired by them, and always will be!. We were roommates in New Jersey for a time while he was touring the world, (For the second time), with "The Count Basie Orchestra", man he was always so energetic and funny, and generous , and loveable. What's great about these interview videos that he did is that "What you see, is what you get"!. I mean his life story is so remarkable, I was always asking him ,"Tell me a story about (Insert Great Musicians Name )"?, and he would invariably tell me an unforgettable, and heartfelt and humbling account. ( And Funny, Oh Wow So Funny This Guy! ), and as it had to be, sometimes it could break my heart. He overcame so many obstacles with such innate power, that sometimes I thought he was indestructible, but sadly none of us are. It is truly with a heavy heart that my "Musical Hero", Mr. Duff "Duffy" Clark Jackson has takin " The Last Coda", so to speak. Rhythmically yours, Christopher Kearns - P.S. "A hug and kiss" for his lovely wife Marina, "Thanks For Loving A Drummer" ( This was one of Duffy's favorite quotes )/ "To Know Him, Was To Love Him! " - (My heart goes out to one of Duffy's greatest admirers, Mr. Vince Gill, (Duffy always spoke of what a great help and friendship you were to him and his family after he made Nashville his home ). Just knowing your there for him still, takes away some of the hurt I'm feeling, as I cant make it, for financial reasons, down to your great city of Nashville to be there for his funeral . - www.christopherkearns.us
Chubby and Duffy held sway on Sunday nights at "The Hideaway Lounge" in Hallandale Fla. back in the 1970s. They made jazz fun at a time when jazz was supposed to be dead. Or, at least dying. One night they even had a Jazz at The Philharmonic style battle of The Tenors between Flip Philips and Frank Foster. For the cost of a few drinks, you got world class swinging jazz and humor. Chubby and Duffy kept the tradition of jazz as popular music alive in an era when Rock (which was little more than 20-yrs-old at the time) threatened its extinction. RIP Duffy. He was a living touchstone for much of the music of the 20th century.
I knew Duffy from his days playing with the "Beach Bagel Band" at Miami Beach High School. Heard him play with his dad, Chubby. Followed him, saw him performing at a couple of venues over the last couple of years along with his buddy, a trumpeter. I have a picture of me sitting at his drum kit, with him mugging as usual over my shoulder, wearing the same shirt in this interview. I will always treasure his friendship and his memory.
Hello from Las Vegas. Dear Brett, Mrs. Marina Jackson just told me about your friendship with her "Late Great Husband" Mr. Duffy Jackson. And so my heart goes out to you on this solemn occasion. Mrs. Jackson said that in the last couple of weeks Duffy spoke about you and he working on his biography together!. She told me that she hopes I'll get her phone # to you, and that she wants us to fulfill this dream of his. I respect her privacy, and look forward to at least knowing that we tried. I am on "Facebook" and on "UA-cam". Always A Fan, Thank you, Christopher - www.christopherkearns.us - P.S. She said to call her soon, Thanks
I used to act as his agent helping him set up gigs that would attract dancers in Nashville. He led such an amazing and glamorous life, and I knew this while I was helping him, the stuff I was doing for him seemed so meager by comparison. But he really seemed to love it and he was so full of appreciation for others and for jazz music first and foremost. I used to pick Duffy up in the car and take him downtown to talk to the management of places who were thinking about hiring him, and he would tell me stories the entire time. I'd love to just get him talking because he would start and he would never stop until we reached our destination, and he would tell me things I could never have learned anywhere else. That being said, once we were in the meetings, I have the opposite goal. We'd be trying to agree on pricing and logistics for a gig and Duffy would be telling stories, pitching additional gigs he just made up on the spot, trying to get some bar or restaurant to hire him on as musical director for their venue (a position we had no reason to believe they were hiring for). You could really tell he'd been hustling all his life. Working with Duffy in his last years (we worked together until I moved out of town a couple months before covid hit) was the closest I'd ever been to the true soul of that great music. Outside of videos like this and my own memories, I'll never hear Duffy tell a story again. We've lost a great storyteller of a mostly oral history. Dying along with Duffy is probably one of our strongest connections to the greatest story of all, the story of America itself. Rest in Peace, Duffy. I was proud to call you a friend.
James, your help was invaluable to him. I think that the Woolworth big band gig, though exhausting for him, was so great for his soul that it gave him a little more time with us. Everything you said was my experience with him, too.
James, you captured him exactly. The experience of trying to help him was sometimes exasperating, but the experience of playing with him was exhilarating.
Hello from Las Vegas, With regards to the shocking news of Mr. Duffy Jackson's passing, I'm reminded that the last time we spoke on the phone together ( last year ), he called me an "Integral" part of his life and career, this of course was very flattering!. But what is sadly apparent now is that I never got down to his home again in Nashville to fulfill his last dream, and that was to document his "Life Story", ( as either a book or video documentary ). I'd like to think that if and when we can make this happen, my "Duffy Archives" will "Blow Peoples Minds!". For years he would share so many recordings of concerts or nightclub gigs that he had from all over the world, notably some that I believe only I have ever seen or heard!. For example, one day he received a cassette in the mail from a "Fan", I watched as he read a short note from this gentleman, and then with a big smile invited me to play the cassette in my boom-box on the kitchen table. It was incredible!, " Christmas Eve at the Airliner Jazz Club" ( Miami, FL ), starring : "The Ira Sullivan Quartet" featuring : Mr. Eddie Higgins(Piano), Mr. Duffy Jackson(Drums), Mr. Jaco Pastorius(Bass) and Mr. Jack Pastorius(Vocals). I'm eager for the world to hear this! (I've got it!). And he was so gracious on many occasions to call me his "Videographer" , and subsequently I , and I alone have many hours of" Video of Duffy ", in every kind of situations, from informal soundchecks, jam sessions, to sold out world famous jazz festivals. You can hardly believe your ears!, he was "A Monster" on some of these cassette's I've collected over the past forty years!. The "Ray Brown / Milt Jackson Group" (Live at Shelly's Manne Hole) in L.A. is the greatest post "Be-bop" drumming on record ( again I believe I may have the only copy of this historical band, and I believe Duffy to be only 18 years old!). And one night I stood next to his so enormously proud father, at one of Duffy's earliest concerts with "The Count Basie Orchestra". Sure enough "Chubby" put his sony walkman on the edge of the stage and captured one of the greatest Basie Concerts you'll ever hear!, (and I've got that as well! ). And man when he'd switch over to the piano and then the bass, it was magic! . ( Scat Singing !, W.T.F. ! ), I've got that too! - "The Dizzy Gillespie Band " ( Live in France ). Dizzy invites Duffy to "Scat" with him, impromptu from the audience, "Oop- Bob -Sha- Bam"!. This is every jazz singers "Dream Come True!" right? !. Made all the better because the Great Mr. J.C. Heard is burning at the drums!. And I am truly sad, that at this time, for financial reasons, I wont be able be with you Duffy as you make " The Final Coda " ( I was thinking some of the "Videos" we made together are truly befitting of the celebration of your life at this time. ) And so in closing, please contact me at : (702)335-4181 so I can visit and share these "Duffy Archives", you wont be sorry you did!. Yours truly, Christopher Kearns - www.christopherkearns.us - R.I.P. Mr. Jackson " Go Team Duffer! "
Hi Christopher: if you do happen to put some things up on a website or SoundCloud or maybe audio files of Duffy’s gig cassettes and so on, This would be something huge and valuable, appreciated by many many musicians and friends, and would be most grateful if you could perhaps let me know (by replying on this thread, or contacting me through my website: www.gregburrows.net) and I will spread the word to hundreds of fellow drummers. Please consider sharing some of these rare recordings of Duffy’s very rare live recordings with the world-you would be doing a HUGE service to drummers, scholars and fans worldwide.
I first met Duffy at Bubba`s in Ft.Lauderdale when he was backing up Sonny Stitt .I saw that he put his cassette tape down to his left side.After that i saw he always did the same.
Fantastic drummer .. Rest in Peace with all good music that he gave us...
He is missed
I had the incredible honor of being with Duffy in the early 80s when he was Jazz Artist In Residence at Valdosta State for an entire year and got to play with him every day. Great player and even better person!
you were lucky!
No one has ever laid down the beat quite like Duffy... what a legend
powerful dummer
The great Duffy Jackson kicked the hell out if the Basie band. He was a tremendously energetic and swingin’ big band drummer!
totally agree
What a joyous soul. He will be missed.
He loved this music, and life itself
Super, super talent!
For sure.
Thanks for all the great music, your spirited presentations and great stories. So glad to have known you. An era ends! Rest in peace and enjoy God's music.
What a guy!
Seeing Duffy and his Dad in Miami was always a highlight and part of the music culture for the entire area. Rest In Peace and keep swinging
Thank you for posting this! I was lucky to get to see Duffy play a few times but never had the pleasure of hearing him talk. Such a pleasure to discover that his personality and attitude were perfectly reflected in his super-joyous playing. It’s a shame to loose his beautiful demeanor and groovilicious playing when we need them the most, but the spirit remains. Thank you SO much and happy travels Duffy!
He wasn't shy, that's for sure.
Rest In Peace, Duffy was a great bass player too,I played drums with him one night while he played bass and sang he will be missed
talk about talent
Im so fortunate to have met him in person, i remember him being such a bubbly personality. I learned so much from him in such a small time. I wish i couldve met his father. He spoke very fondly of him even sharing a heartfelt story about sitting in with his fathers friends at such a young age. Even shedding a tear , actually i dont remember if it was a tear or if it was sweat from his brow. He put every fiber that he could control in his body towards intensity of his connection with the drums or the bass. It was one of the most impressive displays of musical intent and concentration I had ever witnessed first hand. I wish i could replay the time spent with his even if it was just an audio recording. Luckily i have my memories of him. I will never be able to listen to any version of I cant stop loving you and not this of the joy this man gave me just being in the room with him . Its sad to think that yesterday I had a conversation about what i remember him being like. When i heard the news i was besides myself, but i cant get his smile out of my head and his happiness even in that memory is infectious, cant help but smiling.
well said
Not to mention this cat could sing incredibly well while playing a deep jazz beat... a rarity and a high level of coordination to pull that off. RIP Duffy. You are loved and will be sadly missed.
First time I saw Duffy he was a newcomer on the Kansas City Five with Count Bassie, Zoot Sims, Roy Eldrige, Eaton Cleavland, wow, what a groove that was. Thanks for posting, RIP Duffy.
What a band
It makes me sad to read this. Duffy Jackson was long time lead drummer of Count Basie Orchestra and one of the greatest swing and big band drummers of all times.😥 RIP . Thank you for the compilation.
Godspeed, good man....
Thanks for posting this dedication to Duffy! First met Duffy back in my Dad's music store, Maina's Music in Hollywood, FL back in 1964 or '65 and we hung out all summer (when I'd visit during the summers), and we'd hang out in drum practice/lesson room and we'd play tunes together (me on clarinet), then Duffy on Bass and then piano!! What great lessons! Then seeing him kick the Paul Butterfield band in Ft. Lauderdale when his Dad, Chubby was on Bass. Wow!! Eventually saw him in Chicago with Basie's band (first time I saw and heard Ella too!) when with Maynard's Band in '79 (think that was at the NAMM show). Great memories with both Duffy & Dad playing with them in Hallandale, FL at a club on the beach, and so many others. When moving here to Chattanooga after I retired from being a band director for 32 years I spoke to Duffy and we spoke about playing together either in Nashville or here in Chat., was excited... but it wasn't meant to be. You will be missed, Duffy... You created a lot of great memories for so many, R.I.P.
Duffy was a great drummer period! Big band to trio and all in between. In a large set or small he could do it all.
yup
R. I.P. Sir 🥁🥁
What a sweet, gentle person. RIP
And what a drummer!
Thank you for the music!
Thank you too!
I first met Duffy when he was 15 or 16 years old. A consummate jazz guy even back then. I Had the pleasure of arranging/producing 2 albums for him, and his dad, Chubby made a cameo appearance on 1 track while they did a scat singing duet. What a pleasure to have known and worked with both of them. RIP
A rather unique family, I would say.
His attack, his phrasing, his dynamics but also his musical background... simply fantastic.
A great drummer will make a band feel and sound great! Being the son of a bassist no wonder his time and role were so finally tuned in! Thanks for the video.
Well said!
When in college, 45 yrs ago, Duffy came by to teach a clinic, but the night before we all went to see him with the college A band at a local club. The only drummer I ever saw whose fills were so strong and directional that it seemed to force the air through the horns. He was magnanimous and kind, as well as a great spirit and musician.
Awww Man...This year has completely sucked so far!!! We've lost some truly iconic musicians this year... Swing In Peace Duffy, you will truly be missed Sir. May God Bless him and his family & Friends during this time...
Thank you so much @jazz video guy for posting this and keeping us all informed, I can see Pauly Cohen welcoming Duffy into Heaven and showing him around...You know there is going to be one helluva swingin gig up there tonight on the Main Stage!!!
I had big fun hanging with Duffy and Pauly.
@@JazzVideoGuy I bet so...wish I could’ve been there too! You gave us the next best thing with the videos Sir!!!
Saw him recently as a child jazz band leader on I've Got A Secret 1960. Great smile😊
I miss Duffy and his spirit
Just hearing about this. This is very sad. Had the honour of meeting and chatting with his dad who was a real kick, the youngest 80 year old I ever met. I always wanted to meet Duffy and tell him but I didn't get the chance :(. Peace and condolences to his family and friends.
Very sad to hear Duffy has passed! The first week I moved to Vegas I was playing at the famous Tender Trap with Vegas greats, Adelaide Robbins, Buddy Clark, Jimmy Cook, Carl Saunders and others. Duffy was in town with Basie. He came in and ask if he could play a number on drums, then he moved to bass and then piano and sang! He brought the house down and said it was a night he would never forget! I surely won’t! RIP Duffy!
great memories
What great playing and excellent interview. A job well done on earth Duffy!
He is missed
Duffy very active in South Florida for years. Driving talented drummer.
Yes, that's where I met him, playing with Pauly Cohen
Hello from Las Vegas. When I first met Mr. Jackson, "Duffy", it was in Hallendale Beach, Florida, ," TheHideaway Beach Hotel" (1975 ). I new what we were going to see that night because we could watch him on television every Sunday night for a year on the Sammy Davis Jr. variety show called "Sammy and Company", backing up the likes of : Sarah Vaughn, Count Basie, Dizzy, etc. . What I didn't know about was this "Father and Son Show", Simply called "The Chubby and Duffy Band". It was the most fun you could have with your clothes on ! ( So to speak ). It made all the newspapers, and brought out all the musicians from miles around. Bear in mind, I had just seen and got to meet and speak with Mr. Buddy Rich that same year!. ( They were very dear friends, so much so that around this same time one night I had the "Thrill of a Lifetime", as a drummer, to be at a Buddy Rich Concert in Boca Raton, FL., where Mr. Rich introduced "Duffy" to the audience, and then invited him to sit in on "That Rottin Kid" arrangement, Drum Solo and everything!, man you could just see how much they loved each other!. In addition to all that, on that first meeting, Duffy invited me to "Sit In" with he and his dads band ( "C Jam Blues" ). Well what happened next was Duffy proceeded to start playing piano, and then seamlessly switch to his dads upright "Ampeg Baby Bass", the audience went wild. From that moment on I was "Hooked" on the "Jackson's". I spent decades being inspired by them, and always will be!. We were roommates in New Jersey for a time while he was touring the world, (For the second time), with "The Count Basie Orchestra", man he was always so energetic and funny, and generous , and loveable. What's great about these interview videos that he did is that "What you see, is what you get"!. I mean his life story is so remarkable, I was always asking him ,"Tell me a story about (Insert Great Musicians Name )"?, and he would invariably tell me an unforgettable, and heartfelt and humbling account. ( And Funny, Oh Wow So Funny This Guy! ), and as it had to be, sometimes it could break my heart. He overcame so many obstacles with such innate power, that sometimes I thought he was indestructible, but sadly none of us are. It is truly with a heavy heart that my "Musical Hero", Mr. Duff "Duffy" Clark Jackson has takin " The Last Coda", so to speak. Rhythmically yours, Christopher Kearns - P.S. "A hug and kiss" for his lovely wife Marina, "Thanks For Loving A Drummer" ( This was one of Duffy's favorite quotes )/ "To Know Him, Was To Love Him! " - (My heart goes out to one of Duffy's greatest admirers, Mr. Vince Gill, (Duffy always spoke of what a great help and friendship you were to him and his family after he made Nashville his home ). Just knowing your there for him still, takes away some of the hurt I'm feeling, as I cant make it, for financial reasons, down to your great city of Nashville to be there for his funeral . - www.christopherkearns.us
RIP Duffy🙏
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE... FOREVER!!
he was great, no doubt about that
keep up the good work all the best CM
Chubby and Duffy held sway on Sunday nights at "The Hideaway Lounge" in Hallandale Fla. back in the 1970s. They made jazz fun at a time when jazz was supposed to be dead. Or, at least dying. One night they even had a Jazz at The Philharmonic style battle of The Tenors between Flip Philips and Frank Foster. For the cost of a few drinks, you got world class swinging jazz and humor. Chubby and Duffy kept the tradition of jazz as popular music alive in an era when Rock (which was little more than 20-yrs-old at the time) threatened its extinction.
RIP Duffy. He was a living touchstone for much of the music of the 20th century.
Good times.
I knew Duffy from his days playing with the "Beach Bagel Band" at Miami Beach High School. Heard him play with his dad, Chubby. Followed him, saw him performing at a couple of venues over the last couple of years along with his buddy, a trumpeter. I have a picture of me sitting at his drum kit, with him mugging as usual over my shoulder, wearing the same shirt in this interview. I will always treasure his friendship and his memory.
One of a kind, that's for damn sure.
Duffy taught me to swing and sing.
You learned from the best.
NICE MAN ! GREAT DRUMMER !
A most interesting fellow.
He swung hard. He had great hands.
Hello from Las Vegas. Dear Brett, Mrs. Marina Jackson just told me about your friendship with her "Late Great Husband" Mr. Duffy Jackson. And so my heart goes out to you on this solemn occasion. Mrs. Jackson said that in the last couple of weeks Duffy spoke about you and he working on his biography together!. She told me that she hopes I'll get her phone # to you, and that she wants us to fulfill this dream of his. I respect her privacy, and look forward to at least knowing that we tried. I am on "Facebook" and on "UA-cam". Always A Fan, Thank you, Christopher - www.christopherkearns.us - P.S. She said to call her soon, Thanks
I used to act as his agent helping him set up gigs that would attract dancers in Nashville. He led such an amazing and glamorous life, and I knew this while I was helping him, the stuff I was doing for him seemed so meager by comparison. But he really seemed to love it and he was so full of appreciation for others and for jazz music first and foremost. I used to pick Duffy up in the car and take him downtown to talk to the management of places who were thinking about hiring him, and he would tell me stories the entire time. I'd love to just get him talking because he would start and he would never stop until we reached our destination, and he would tell me things I could never have learned anywhere else. That being said, once we were in the meetings, I have the opposite goal. We'd be trying to agree on pricing and logistics for a gig and Duffy would be telling stories, pitching additional gigs he just made up on the spot, trying to get some bar or restaurant to hire him on as musical director for their venue (a position we had no reason to believe they were hiring for). You could really tell he'd been hustling all his life. Working with Duffy in his last years (we worked together until I moved out of town a couple months before covid hit) was the closest I'd ever been to the true soul of that great music. Outside of videos like this and my own memories, I'll never hear Duffy tell a story again. We've lost a great storyteller of a mostly oral history. Dying along with Duffy is probably one of our strongest connections to the greatest story of all, the story of America itself. Rest in Peace, Duffy. I was proud to call you a friend.
We must treasure these moments
James, your help was invaluable to him. I think that the Woolworth big band gig, though exhausting for him, was so great for his soul that it gave him a little more time with us. Everything you said was my experience with him, too.
James, you captured him exactly. The experience of trying to help him was sometimes exasperating, but the experience of playing with him was exhilarating.
Liked it, but sad.
This life is really temporary
What a damn shame.
I own what I think was his first record on CD.
Hello Mr. Winokoor, is the C.D. entitled : "Swing, Swing, Swing". It's a "Masterpiece"! - "Go Team Duffer!"
Hello from Las Vegas, With regards to the shocking news of Mr. Duffy Jackson's passing, I'm reminded that the last time we spoke on the phone together ( last year ), he called me an "Integral" part of his life and career, this of course was very flattering!. But what is sadly apparent now is that I never got down to his home again in Nashville to fulfill his last dream, and that was to document his "Life Story", ( as either a book or video documentary ). I'd like to think that if and when we can make this happen, my "Duffy Archives" will "Blow Peoples Minds!". For years he would share so many recordings of concerts or nightclub gigs that he had from all over the world, notably some that I believe only I have ever seen or heard!. For example, one day he received a cassette in the mail from a "Fan", I watched as he read a short note from this gentleman, and then with a big smile invited me to play the cassette in my boom-box on the kitchen table. It was incredible!, " Christmas Eve at the Airliner Jazz Club" ( Miami, FL ), starring : "The Ira Sullivan Quartet" featuring : Mr. Eddie Higgins(Piano), Mr. Duffy Jackson(Drums), Mr. Jaco Pastorius(Bass) and Mr. Jack Pastorius(Vocals). I'm eager for the world to hear this! (I've got it!). And he was so gracious on many occasions to call me his "Videographer" , and subsequently I , and I alone have many hours of" Video of Duffy ", in every kind of situations, from informal soundchecks, jam sessions, to sold out world famous jazz festivals. You can hardly believe your ears!, he was "A Monster" on some of these cassette's I've collected over the past forty years!. The "Ray Brown / Milt Jackson Group" (Live at Shelly's Manne Hole) in L.A. is the greatest post "Be-bop" drumming on record ( again I believe I may have the only copy of this historical band, and I believe Duffy to be only 18 years old!). And one night I stood next to his so enormously proud father, at one of Duffy's earliest concerts with "The Count Basie Orchestra". Sure enough "Chubby" put his sony walkman on the edge of the stage and captured one of the greatest Basie Concerts you'll ever hear!, (and I've got that as well! ). And man when he'd switch over to the piano and then the bass, it was magic! . ( Scat Singing !, W.T.F. ! ), I've got that too! - "The Dizzy Gillespie Band " ( Live in France ). Dizzy invites Duffy to "Scat" with him, impromptu from the audience, "Oop- Bob -Sha- Bam"!. This is every jazz singers "Dream Come True!" right? !. Made all the better because the Great Mr. J.C. Heard is burning at the drums!. And I am truly sad, that at this time, for financial reasons, I wont be able be with you Duffy as you make " The Final Coda " ( I was thinking some of the "Videos" we made together are truly befitting of the celebration of your life at this time. ) And so in closing, please contact me at : (702)335-4181 so I can visit and share these "Duffy Archives", you wont be sorry you did!. Yours truly, Christopher Kearns - www.christopherkearns.us - R.I.P. Mr. Jackson " Go Team Duffer! "
Why not produce a doc about Duffy?
Hi Christopher: if you do happen to put some things up on a website or SoundCloud or maybe audio files of Duffy’s gig cassettes and so on, This would be something huge and valuable, appreciated by many many musicians and friends, and would be most grateful if you could perhaps let me know (by replying on this thread, or contacting me through my website: www.gregburrows.net) and I will spread the word to hundreds of fellow drummers. Please consider sharing some of these rare recordings of Duffy’s very rare live recordings with the world-you would be doing a HUGE service to drummers, scholars and fans worldwide.
I first met Duffy at Bubba`s in Ft.Lauderdale when he was backing up Sonny Stitt .I saw that he put his cassette tape down to his left side.After that i saw he always did the same.
What a family tree- Chubby Jackson- Duffy Jackson
true dat
RIP. What did Duffy die from?
A Nashville musician told me he had a heart attack.
@@JazzVideoGuy Ah, that’s too bad. Too soon. Duffy was still a few years shy of age 70.
@@JazzVideoGuy he didn't have a heart attack. He died of complications following hip reconstruction surgery