Champion Jack Dupree

William Thomas “Champion Jack” Dupree (b. New Orleans, 1910 – d. Hanover, Germany, January 21, 1992). Blues singer and barrelhouse piano player. After growing up in the red-light district of New Orleans, Dupree traveled the country (mainly by hopping trains) during the Depression years and made a living by boxing and by playing and singing in honky tonks. He stayed on the road through the 1930s and 1940s and spent considerable time in both Chicago and Indianapolis, where he played with local musicians such as guitarist Scrapper Blackwell. In 1940, Dupree was the regular blues and barrelhouse performer at the Cotton Club at Vermont and West Streets. It was there that he performed with singers Ophelia and Toots Hoy and fellow New Orleans guitarist Pleasant Joseph (Cousin Joe), who soon after moved on to recording sessions in New York. During his tenure at the Cotton Club, he recorded a series of sides on Okeh Records in Chicago. In 1959, Dupree settled in Europe and lived out the rest of life performing, recording and working as a cook specializing in New Orleans cuisine. Of particular note, he toured with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.