Video: Champion Jack Dupree and Allen Toussaint at Jazz Fest 1990

Published on: July 19th, 2016

Champion Jack Dupree, May 1991 [Photo by Dick Waterman]

Champion Jack Dupree, May 1991 [Photo by Dick Waterman]
Champion Jack Dupree, May 1991 [Photo by Dick Waterman]

Champion Jack Dupree and Allen Toussaint performing together at the Heritage Stage, Jazz Fest 1990

Champion Jack Dupree and Allen Toussaint performing together at the Heritage Stage, Jazz Fest 1990
Champion Jack Dupree and Allen Toussaint performing together at the Heritage Stage, Jazz Fest 1990
Air time: 
Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 11:00am to at 1:00pm

Check out this absolutely phenomenal footage of Champion Jack Dupree with Allen Toussaint at the Music Heritage Stage at Jazz Fest 1990, uncovered during research for a recent two-part episode of WWOZ's New Orleans Calling. This performance was part of Champion Jack's first time back in the U.S. in more than 30 years.

From New Orleans Calling co-producer Dave Ankers: "Champion Jack came to life in a new way, waggling his eyebrows and having a great time. And there was Allen Toussaint, sneaking up behind Champion Jack Dupree onstage, and then they shared the piano for about six incredible minutes. And the 82-year-old Jack was mugging for the crowd, and dancing, and drinking beer, and the audience absolutely loved it."

Dive deeper into Champion Jack Dupree's life on-demand with New Orleans Calling in Part 1, 'Pieces of the Puzzle' and Part 2, 'Freedom.' These episodes were two years in the making as producers tracked down rare interviews, spoke with others with close ties to Champion Jack that are still living (including New Orleans pianist Henry Butler), and conducted extensive research at places like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Archives and the Hogan Jazz Archive at Tulane University. They cover aspects of an enigmatic and unconventionally talented figure in New Orleans music history—an absolute must-hear for fans of blues and the New Orleans piano tradition. You can also hear these episodes again on WWOZ on Wednesday, July 20 from 11a-1p during New Orleans Calling host George Ingmire's other show on 'OZ-- the Wednesday edition of the New Orleans Music Show.

Find out more about the history behind this specific video and performance in this recent blog post from Ankers.

About New Orleans Calling

For one hour each week, New Orleans Calling brings the music, stories, sounds, and people of the Crescent City to non-commercial radio stations around the country and the world. Using exclusive live performances and interviews, immersive sound, rare archival recordings, and all the musical depth of WWOZ, the program provides a window into New Orleans life for a listener not in the city, while bringing new authentic stories and surprises to discerning local WWOZ audiences. George Ingmire is the host and co-producer of New Orleans Calling.  Trained as a filmmaker and anthropologist, he has investigated the many subcultures of New Orleans and the Caribbean for over 20 years.

Program: 
New Orleans Calling

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