1964 - Brother Jack McDuff Quartet (Live video)

Brother Jack McDuff - organ; Red Holloway - tenor sax; George Benson - guitar; Joe Dukes - drums. Festival gig in France

[@kennyblackbird5674]

George Benson was playing guitar as sophisticated and mature for a 20 year old was just amazing!

[@37BopCity]

Amazing! This gets my vote for one of the greatest music videos on KZbin. Jack McDuff's left hand is incredible. Never heard George's chicken clucking lick before, wonderful. All these guys are virtuosos.

[@joeyfloress1131]

37BopCity 2017 it kills me how his left and right side of the brain are synced together- I don't know how he does those sick bass lines while soloingb

[@Johngonefishin]

And George is playing the ultimate rock/blues setup....a Sunburst Les Paul Standard thru a tweed Fender Bassman.

[@ronanzann4851]

He had some kind of 3 lobed brain !!!!!!!!!

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Good lord, Jack McDuff is about to melt that keyboard! No fooling around, or warm-up - he and the guys come busting out of the gate with a burner. It's just so impressive watching how he holds down the bass with his left hand and plays the changes and lines with his right. That's real talent right there! And how unusual to see George Benson playing a solid-body Les Paul! Don't see that every day. The underrated Red Holloway and Joe Dukes in great form, too.

[@lc4002]

You're right. Most musicians have warm their chops up with a few easy numbers before they can even think about that breakneck speed.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

@@lc4002 - "Most" being the key word. You've really got your game together when you can blast off like that from the jump. Of course, we can tell ourselves he warmed up behind stage, right? ; ) Jazz is one of the most-Darwinian musical environments on earth. If you don't have your act together folks are going to find out right quick, because there's no place to hide. You haven't lived until you've heard the bandleader or head of the jam call a fast tune which cycles through all twelve keys in the cycle of fifths/fourths. Ask me how I know! (got the scars to prove it). Anyway, easy to see how young GB was forced to get his chops together.... Brother Jack was leaning on him pretty hard every night.

[@lc4002]

George was scaling the hell out that Les Paul.

[@PeterRiesinCO]

I definitely need more Jack McDuff in my life.

[@dalegregg2700]

I cannot imagine doing improv melody like that on one hand, and walking bass in the other. ALL amazing musicians, of course.

[@alanblakeguitarist]

I used to play with Jack. Dude was super soulful.

[@perrywelsh436]

There are no words to describe this except MAGIC !!!!!!

[@bustabass9025]

One of the greatest B3 wizards to ever walk a left-handed bass line. There were many, but few capable of coaxing the most mesmerizing sounds from this legendary instrument. Here was the original. Rest in peace my brother.

[@williamlowe7718]

Only one other can stand in that circle...the late great Joey Defrancesco.

[@brianbrock8468]

George Benson playing an original 1959 Sunburst Les Paul Standard!

[@Daddytang67]

the 11 people that gave this a thumb down were smoking crack laced with ex-lax and were unable to feel the soul power. pure joy!

[@thomasforsythe4670]

Daddytang67 You know you right!!!????

[@thomasforsythe4670]

Disregard the ?

[@johnbishop5316]

Don't become the down thumb policeman on here. Just ignore them. Thumb Downs syndrome.

[@rafrodr]

Thumble

[@direstraights]

Not everyone understands Sycopation 🎶👍🎶🎶. 🎶🎶

[@blueribb99]

My dad introduced me to the music of Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Richard Groove Holmes and others back in the late 1960's, early 70's. I'm 72 now and still enjoying this type of music. With the recent passing of Joey DeFrancesco, the number of artists playing the Hammond B-3 organ is shrinking.

[@ChromaticHarp]

True and jack Mcduff also moved on to the next zone….

[@luckywethy]

Actually, the B3 is currently having a renaissance. Almost every jazz pianist in San Francisco is playing organ these days, including me!

[@jazzbuff630]

I've grown up, in Harlem, hearing his genre since I was a kid. 64 now, and never tire of this music.

[@YaoEspirito]

Sir, make sure you see some Cory Henry, a natural young heir to those B3 greats.

[@johnnyloungejazz5477]

Red Holloway is a underrated Master. You dead if you don’t like this.

[@mikeheaton8424]

It’s amazing !

[@daldieduckweather5320]

Agreed!

[@tylerbrandon460]

Now this is some sweet romance to the ears. Scaling to the heavens, triplets, ghost notes, quarter time, halftime, 32nd note shuffles. Musical genius.

[@janbateman]

This is genius on every level. Humor being one of them. Genius playing.

[@raycampos7597]

That's crazy how Jack is playing the Bass with his left hand at that tempo, without missing a beat! Wow!

[@haloskater24]

They make musicians like this anymore

[@haloskater24]

Don’t *

[@stonelenny]

@@haloskater24 Of course "they make". It´s called organist. Both popular and classical king of musician play bass with left hand and feet. Just search Organ Trio.

[@miguelmichel68]

yeah what a swing dude!

[@haloskater24]

stonelenny see my comment below the first one , I meant “they don’t make musicians like this anymore”.

[@sisterg733]

This is totally awesome! A real unique band sound and attitude! amazing players all of them

[@dixjam2258]

I know it is apples and oranges, but this is freakin' 1964, and while everybody was in awe about George Harrison's solo on Till there was you (which I love), Benson was doing perfect chicken noises out of his guitar, in tune and in the pocket. A completely different skill class.

[@richievasquez13]

Amazing!! What a band, what an arrangement, and Bro.Jack's "conk" is off the charts!!!! Just a killer video!!!

[@davidbloom2940]

Joe played in my band in the 70's. Jack McDuff fired and I hired him the next day. He was a gentle guy with explosive chops. We recorded at Phil Upchurch's studio in 1977.

[@davidphilipsmusic]

+David Bloom Cool story. Is that record around to hear?

[@davidbloom2940]

Never released. Maybe sometime. Thanks for your interest David

[@GuitarZen83]

I too would love to hear it.

[@numbernine2207]

I was fortunate enough to meet Red, Phil Unchurch & Chuck Rainey in L.A. when they did a small tour with my cousin Robert Walter for his 'There Goes the Neighborhood' release. He was able to get his dream session personnel that also included Harvey Mason.

[@craigbrowning9448]

Why did Jack fire him?

[@1955drv]

Great respect to this amazing Quartet 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@paulya1269]

That bass line played with his left hand...amazing!

[@bluv6]

This is superlative on every level, with all 4 great players in top form and the whole band so tight. But beginning it at about 5:12, oh my goodness Brother Jack just hammers the hell out of it.

[@Toddkray]

Absolutely!! Into orbit. What a wonderful clip. Thanks for posting!

[@stevecomins7837]

Wow wow wow. George Benson fired up at 21. Thanks to the French audience and crew. Brother is always real great. I love the French, when I was in Paris at the Lourve underground stop - a beautiful flutist was receiving attention and donation, then when on the outskirts of the city, a man was was playing a toy synth with beat and one finger and seemed to get a similar crowd reaction. They love the arts.

[@alphonsepetitboudu6552]

Festival international de Jazz d'Antibes Juan les Pins, France, 1964. Concert présenté par André Francis, la voix du Jazz en France pendant plus de 60 ans.

[@jokeyman2943]

This is what I grew up listening too! Was depressed, surrounded by my instruments here out in the woods. Looked up Brother jack Mcduff, feeling much better now. I played in a trio back in the 60s in Newark, a few clubs with Richie McCrea-another phenominal B-3 player (I was on drums) in the same neighborhood as big Joe Williams and George Benson, I met big Joe the sweetest nicest gentleman even though I was a skinny little white boy he shook my hand and smiled, never forgot that. I missed meeting George Benson who lived down the street. What an experience being in that circuit for at least a month or so. I had no union card (I was only 18, just got a car to drive my drums around in) and i couldn't play those clubs anymore until I got one-I was carded in a club. Pissed those guys off no end! These guys-had the fire. Anybody can play nowadays-but few I've seen have that fire anymore. You had to, or you wouldn't work. I had to play my b***s off to earn my keep as a little white boy in all those black clubs, look at my competition back then, this drummer is on fire too. God I miss it!

[@OutrageExtreme]

SMOKIN! George Benson in his youth was already a bad ass player in 1964. No wonder. All these cats here are simply audaciously talented.

[@kingcake54]

One of the best organ quartets at their peak!

[@albertsystem]

What a left hand, Jack, out of this world!

[@mayormc]

This is incredible.

[@pumpdumpster]

Incredibly well played, wow! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@jipes]

Thanks for sharing this fabulous performance, the sound quality is purely stunning. I thinks it's the Festival Jazz à Antibes

[@dexxxhunt]

Damn these cats are cookin.Love the fun they're having as well!

[@patbrennan6572]

I don't know how the floor could have held all that talent.

[@Fitzliputzli23]

Wow, what a sparkling energy! Wish there was a band like this today.

[@HealthyHappyFitFashion]

Thanks to the Jazz promoters in Seattle, for bringing this Jazz legend to town, Brother Jack McDuff performed along with his daughter in downtown Seattle it was a real treat.

[@SuperBillybob53]

That is the shit right there. Tearing it up. Benson on Les Paul. A very young Benson. Red Holloway on sax a great player.

[@Alanoffer]

Best eight minutes on you tube and listen to George benson give a comping lesson

[@farshimelt]

Drum solos that make musical sense. Will wonders never cease?

[@TroubadourJuggernaut]

another whole level of musicianship ......

[@barrydee587]

56 years ago and it's still fresh!!!

[@TimRiehle]

Thanks for posting this! Jack McDuff is amazing, and it's so great to see some early George Benson (and playing a burst, no less!)

[@darkplanetmoon]

Never knew George Benson was at this level on guitar. Green/Montgomery level. Rocking song all around. Thanks for posting.

[@pcm7315]

I purchased an album called "Soul Shack" back in 1964, or thereabouts, to listen to Sonny Stitt. Anyway, there was a organist named Jack Mcduff that caught my attention. His rendition of "Love Nest" is still one of my favorites. Still have album, but no phonograph.

[@direstraights]

Here ya go Love Nest kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqGoc4t9ndmFpLc

[@direstraights]

I imagine one can search KZbin for any and all recordings for the most part.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Timeless talent, these guys all played cooperatively as well which is a miracle

[@peterlloyd5285]

George...wonderful articulation and phrasing.

[@willcaviness]

Damn, that groove is rock solid...mcduff really slapped out those basslines!! love red holloway what a sound. dukes is swinging and geo benson obv killing

[@vcp93]

OMG! That is just smokin' I didn't know that George Benson played with Jack McDuff. What an incredible video. Thank you so much for sharing. Cheers!

[@FromtheSoultotheFretboard]

Thanks for the upload!! Dig that Les Paul in George's hand. I can only imagine the history that guitar has seen!! The band is really vibin, thanks again!!

[@oldmannewman]

Have Mercy! The talent on that stage!!!

[@neiles335]

these guys really rock... love the organ

[@williamlowe7718]

One of the best live performances on KZbin....ever...

[@lc4002]

That's what I call real, real playing. Almost 60 years ago and they'll shame lots of noisemakers of Today.

[@rboaxx9065]

as lord mccartney, for instance...

[@Fari-100]

Amen to that!

[@jaycee30865]

But you have to admit that Cardi B and Nicki Minaj are excellent musicians.

[@genewilliams617]

Well said!!!

[@michalslepcik1931]

Point well☝️taken !

[@giosanta2000]

Disconcerting, absolute, incredible modernity.

[@garys8990]

Great organist and Love that Hammond Organ!! Great Tenor Sax player. the two greatist sounds Tenor Sax and Hammond Organ together! Thanks for posting.

[@billyd5383]

Great personal recounts of such fine musicians. Thanks for sharing. This has to be one of the greatest live performances I’ve ever seen!

[@paulgibby6932]

Absolutely. The clucking (George) and the laughing (Red). They were having fun.

[@jaaklucas1329]

People think of George Benson the pop jazz star, this guy is a monster player!

[@brotherloveakarhythmicsola2943]

This shows that there is very few true musicians today,Because we let ourselves be. Bamboozled!

[@RJ-go3sn]

Revisiting these greats here in 2024! Jack, Red, George, and Joe were (are) exquisite talents, and should be in some Hall of Fame somewhere! Each a phenom on his own, and together, perfection! Thank you, guys.

[@lesbrown331]

Takes me back to 63d & Cottage Grove..digging this group LIVE...

[@1curbfeeler]

RIP JACK, GLAD TO HAVE MET AND PERFORMED WITH YOU!

[@bobgure]

A Nobel Prize for Posting! Thanks!

[@gruuvdr2]

Amazing and exactly what jazz really is all about!!

[@reneematte8426]

Merci Bob Hardy via Brother McDuff Quartet 🎹 🎸🎹🎹🌺🎧🎼🎼💙

[@erikbaran7197]

Got to see Capt. Jack McDuff, as he was known in the 90s, a few times at a little dive blues joint in Minneapolis called Blues Alley. The house band was Jimi "Prime Time" Smith, and he and Big Walter Smith would sometimes come down and sit in. Big Walter was a regular at the Uptown Famous Dave's rib joint. I was just turning on to the Blues back then, and little did I know who I was seeing.

[@chakatania]

When Jack is jammin' the organ is jumpin' -- literally & musically!

[@a9323hj]

Excellent performance.

[@Davebold-Guitarist]

Wonderful stuff! Love GB's 'Chicken Reel' quote at the start of his (4th?) solo.

[@aimeeauairterre____6506]

Oui! là c'est de la musique de musique... magique

[@Sured70]

What a sound, wow! These cats are seriously on fire!

[@brettgroh1112]

Oh...Man!!! There's a little talent here. They play so freely. Thank you, for posting this Bob Hardy.

[@bardicpearl]

This is such a fantastic video. I wish I had been there!

[@trobson9952]

Incredible. Imagine being able to breathe like Red. Thanks for video.

[@waynespeirs1024]

Brother Jack can really cook!!

[@bobaldo2339]

Amen!

[@brucenicholls854]

Great group! Everybody is on.George Benson is in a "Cookbook"mode.👍👍👍👍👍

[@tuxguys]

(How do YOU spell "ferocious?") Break-neck Blues, played by a classic Jazz Organ Quartet (tenor, guitar, Hammond, and drums), in this case, the one that put George Benson on the map. (The beginning of Benson's future success as a Pop Star is eleven years in the future from this performance; coincidentally, Holloway is eight years away from joining John Mayall's "Jazz/Blues Fusion" band.) Three interesting features here: Formally, each soloist comes in on the last four bars of the previous soloist's chorus (I've never heard that before); The Jazz counterpoint between the four of them, which begins at 6:37, is stunning; I'd always assumed, when listening to Brother Jack's records, that the bass parts were his feet, kicking pedals... I am absolutely blown away to see that the bass parts are in fact played by his left hand. And, most miraculous of all: These four guys are having the best time, being this good, in front of an audience.

[@MartinBlack]

Great stuff, thanks for sharing

[@soulnik]

Brother Jack and the cats burning rubber throughout!

[@SonyasAnnoyingAssVoice]

George Benson brought me here. Well, reading Benson's autobiography and my obsession with his music compelled me.

[@madjazzmike]

Hi ‘ to All’ - 1 of the finest sessions you’ll ever see - such Talent ! - cheers to All .

[@brotherrap1722]

George Benson was getting his education playing on the jazz circuit with one of the several Hammond B-3 masters, Brother Jack McDuff, along with the excellent saxophonist Red Holloway, and drummer, Joe Dukes. Benson however, added to the life of one of McDuff's greatest live albums, "Live at the Key Club" doing Rock Candy and a Real Goodun. The circuit was tight, and you had to play your ax in those days in thos little night clubs but back in the 60s and through the mid-70s those were the good old days. The Blue Note, Mpls, The Key Club, Newark, Flukies, Chicago, OG's Kansas City, Club Baby Grand, Harlem, NYC, and so many more that memory fails to serve me. But they were the circuit, with so much soul, pretty cars, pretty women, and, and, and, so much more that time has passed on by.

[@matsnilsson565]

You speak as you was part of this whole scene, really appreciate your input. KZbin comments aren't known for this quality!

[@brotherrap1722]

Mats Nilsson That was my time, I was young, on the move with eyes and ears wide open.

[@matsnilsson565]

Next, you tell me that you also witnessed and participated in some of the live magic that GEORGE and especially JIMMY created...right? Doesn't matter if you did or not, you my friend are one lucky soul that was born and raised in this beautiful time and place!

[@brotherrap1722]

This live magic you speak of was an everyday affair in the racially segregated years in the U.S. where these chaps played on the so called "Chitlin Circuit" and we were their audience cheering them on. However, as a young cat I thought they were some of the best, most liveliest days, where the music was raw, "straight-no chaser". The Europeans appreciated it that way too, but in America it had to be watered down to be accepted and the only way these artists could make some real money. I did not care for the cross over stuff, but the hungry days when the music was driving and raw and the rooms were crowded and no bigger than a closet was the most exciting days for me.

[@matsnilsson565]

The "Chitlin Circuit" tell me more about it. Was it possible to witness, lets say McGriff in a random joint back then? If so, did you ever catch some of this absolute in music?

[@johnpandolfino8663]

Some band....thanks for posting 🤞👍👏🎶🤓🦫🇺🇸😎💰👌🔥🤙💪

[@rhythmfield]

The great Joe Dukes on drums - strong swinging player - not remembered or widely known by subsequent generations I think.

[@webstercat]

Heard of but didn't know this was him. Monster for sure...

[@kissyxander]

utterly superb education Bob many thanks

[@kingquadroon]

Rest in peace, Granddady Red.

[@givigachechiladze9158]

One word - all guys are great. Thanks, I have remembered jazz of my youth.

[@ustwoalberts]

wonderful drummer -great to play with, i imagine - so decisive - you'd always know exactly where you were !

[@petercallaway3376]

The drums were mic'd and recorded so well...it's amazing!

[@farshimelt]

you're always supposed to know where you are. The drummer isn't a crutch.

[@geoffm.6842]

Who are the players? Sonny Payne on drums??

[@nissebjorn9916]

Wow! What a band, playful and wonderful !

[@MrMinowahiro]

I have most of Prestige LPs of McDuff but this performance is outstanding! Everybody is on fire!!!

[@johnsons1812]

Blues one and eight one of my favorite Brother Jack McDuff songs.

[@mikeheaton8424]

These guys are amazing !

[@corysea3070]

Fantastic performance!

[@HunterMann]

It really blows my mind that this kind of music was happening at the same time that the Beatles were getting most of the attention I love the Beatles but man this kind of jazz is so advanced and hip for its time! I am hoping to find this on DVD if anyone knows if it's available even on VHS tape would be fine

[@BlaaAura]

That's why our schools at that time told us not to listen to Beatles - they were only POP - Mcduff was real music, they said. But who remember Mcduff today?

[@mykar52]

I do.

[@basiefriend]

John Andreasen so do I ( but not my Kids unfortunately - here I failed 😎)

[@ropatidee5427]

Me too

[@ChristianPoultonRuns]

Hunter Mann Totally agree!

[@lisaspears6380]

I love this..These fellas was smokin this night..The broken record part is great..ive watched thid video many, many times and just realized George Benson was playing. Other comments confirmed this..what a sweet epic recording to have under your belt..what a phenominal find..thx for posting

[@_alexsams]

Beautiful upload, when George Benson played a 1960 Gibson Les Paul... Very little with him playing it. Thank you.

[@pbasswil]

Doesn't matter what he plays, it always sounds like him, huh? 'Cept he got a little more assertive with age and under his own name - here he's not forgetting he's a side man.

[@boreed5734]

Wonder if he still has that Les Paul in his collection, it's gotta be worth some serious cash.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

@ Alex S. - You figure at a large outdoor gig like this, highly-amplified, that maybe Benson needed to play a solid-body, or at least a semi-hollow design, to keep from feeding back. Maybe he hadn't discovered that old trick that arch-top players use - to stuff foam into their sound-holes to deaden the feedback. Of course, as long as he was a straight-ahead jazz guy, maybe this wasn't too huge an issue, since the venues were reasonably compact. But when he became a pop star in the 1970s, and started playing huge arenas and the like, it surely became an issue. By then, Ibanez had come to his rescue. Their jazz guitars sound great, but have tops which are laminated, not solid wood, so do not feedback as much as a carved top instrument.

[@johnnieguitar5724]

Amazing footwork on the organ bass pedals! As a guitarist that always amazes me--- three body parts playing musical notes altogether. Whew!

[@johnnieguitar5724]

Aha, that explains it. I marvel at Joey De pedaling just as fast.

[@tdm1995]

I can't tell from the vid if there are bass pedals here... (camera man didn't pan down to feet!!) His left leg seems to be busy, so I kinda think he IS playing pedals on this... plus the amt of bass we hear seems a bit much to just be lower manual keys... .

[@farshimelt]

@@tdm1995 It was all left hand.

[@musicofanatic]

@@farshimelt Correct

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Yeah, how about it! Drummers and organists... both get huge respect for having so much going on at once and still keeping things musical and tight.

[@avalon747]

Wow everbody was on fire! Thank you!

[@9101201]

After the first note, I dig it, jazz is cool

[@babarayhey]

Smokin' hot! Everyone in that group!

[@kcdrumco]

THIS IS PURE BEAUTY!!!!

[@TimNelson]

What gets me is this. At some point in Benson’s life, he went through a radical acceleration in his musical growth. The question is, what fueled that? I’ve been looking for “that“ for my entire life.

[@JimOblon]

Just my opinion, but I think the quick answer is Hank Garland. Check out Hank’s “all the things you are” and all you’ll hear is George Benson... In interviews George gives it up to Hank Garland...

[@deadheaders86]

Hank Garland, Django Reinhardt, and Charlie Christian. Need for speed.

[@farshimelt]

First you have to be able to play your instrument at a very high level, understand chord changes, and play with people who are at a higher level than you. If you do that long enough, eventually, you will become the inspiration for others. As a young drummer, I was fortunate to be on the stand when Cedar Walton and Doug Watkins walked into the club and sat in. They lifted me into another realm. I felt like I was looking down, watching myself play and it was effortless.

[@handdancin]

ah yes, that one weird trick to becoming a generational guitar talent

[@TimNelson]

@@handdancin Exactly! What for God’s sake is that one hidden lick that opens up everything? Still looking…