RIP Cornell Dupree

Categories: Goodbye

Cornell+Dupree+DupreeCornell.jpg
Cornell Dupree
Famed jazz and R&B guitarist Cornell Dupree passed away Sunday, May 8, in his hometown of Fort Worth, TX. He was 69 years old.

At 19, the blues musician joined King Curtis and the Kingpins, playing alongside a young Jimi Hendrix. In the 1960s, he became one of Atlantic Records' studio stars, earning the nickname "Mr. 2500" for the number of recording sessions he reportedly played.

As a member of Atlantic's New York house band, he played on the Live at the Fillmore West albums by Curtis and Aretha Franklin as well as sets by Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack.

Dupree also played for Bill Withers, Miles Davis, B.B. King, Ray Charles, Herbie Mann, James Brown and Jimmy Smith.

He also released ten solo albums, with 1988's Coast to Coast receiving a Grammy nomination.

My Voice Nation Help
3 comments
Mzwillie2011
Mzwillie2011

May you You Rest In Peace Mr. Cornell Dupree. Thank you for everlasting, amazing Music. -ONE LOVE-

kokomoization
kokomoization

a unique player with a warm, instantly recognizable, hard-to-duplicate style. some of his best work can be found on the stanley turrentine album "cherry" and joe cocker's "stingray." along with his solo album for atlantic. also tasty (as we used to say) on the champion jack dupree record "blues at montreux," with the kingpins. aretha was asked about 10 years ago why she never again used her greatest rhythm section (dupree, jemmott/rainey, purdie) and she said "who can afford those guys?!" she was just being nice -- as she probably could've guessed, cornell and the rest were essentially sitting on the couch in front of the TV for the past 30 years waiting for someone to remember them. dupree was also beloved in the u.k. among the white-soul guys of the '70s: neil hubbard, jim mullen (today playing straight-ahead jazz only) and the awb guys.cornell dupree -- one of the really great ones.

Ms. Censor-ist
Ms. Censor-ist

[Press Conscientiousness 2l2L! dept.] Dear kokomoization; ... like, nice, appreciated... . Thank you, Jazz Retribution-ist

From the Vault

 

Events

Los Angeles Event Tickets
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places Los Angeles

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city