Champion Jack Dupree was an American blues and boogie-woogie pianist and vocalist, whose life and music were as colorful as the New Orleans streets from which he first emerged. Born William Thomas Dupree on July 23, 1909, in New Orleans, Louisiana, he was nicknamed "Champion Jack" after honing his skills in the boxing ring before fully embracing a career in music. His early life was marred by tragedy as he lost his parents at an early age and grew up in the Colored Waifs' Home for Boys (the same institution that once housed Louis Armstrong).

Champion Jack's music career took off in the 1940s after he left boxing, and he became known for his rollicking piano style and heartfelt lyrics that often drew from his rich life experiences. His work encapsulates the essence of the blues with songs that tell stories of hardship, travel, and survival. Dupree's eclectic career took him across the globe, from his birthplace in the Crescent City to the jazz scenes of Chicago and Detroit, and eventually to Europe, where he found a welcoming audience and spent his later years. Despite experiencing the racial prejudices and economic hardships common to many black musicians of his time, he recorded prolifically, leaving behind a vast legacy that includes titles like "Let's Go Champ!, Vol. 2," "Shake Baby Shake," and "Junker's Blues". His work, dominating the late 20th century blues scene, laid a foundation influencing many artists in the genre. Dupree passed away on January 21, 1992, in Hanover, Germany, but his music continues to resonate with blues aficionados worldwide, celebrated for its authenticity, vitality, and enduring spirit.

Genres

Acoustic Blues

Barrelhouse Piano

Blues

Louisiana Blues

Memphis Blues

New Orleans Blues

Piano Blues

Traditional Blues

Related Artists

Dr. John

Professor Longhair

B.B. King

Muddy Waters

Fats Domino

Howlin' Wolf

T-Bone Walker

Memphis Slim

Big Joe Turner

Etta James

Otis Spann

John Lee Hooker

Latest Release

Blues

Champion Jack Dupree

Album - 12 Tracks - Released March 8, 2024