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Cornell Dupree

In a remarkable career spanning five decades, Cornell Dupree played on literally thousands of sessions and worked with a staggering list of artists that includes James Brown, Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Donny Hathaway, Elvin Jones, B.B. King, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Herbie Mann, Jimmy Smith, and many more. Born on 19 December 1942, in Fort Worth, Texas. A self-taught guitarist, Dupree became a professional musician in his home town while still in his mid-teens. Soon thereafter, he joined King Curtis' band in New York City where he worked with Jimi Hendrix. He became the guitarist of choice for Atlantic Records in the late '60s, after legendary producer Jerry Wexler brought in Dupree to help shape the label's soul tracks."It was our practice to use three (or even more!) guitarists on a record session," said Wexler. "We were looking to create some kind of interweave with the rest of the rhythms — the bass, drums, keyboard. Time and again we would get into a hellacious mess as the three guitarists invariably got in each other's way. ... And so when Mr. Dupree, the pride of Fort Worth, came to our rescue, it was bye-bye to multiple guitars because — miraculously, it seemed to me — one man, playing rhythm and lead at the same time, took the place of three." Dupree's work for Atlantic earned him a10-year tenure with Aretha Franklin, one of the label's superstars. "I just know that during all that while with Aretha, I immensely enjoyed it," says Dupree. "It was all about the feeling, and the way she expressed herself vocally was another inspiration for me." Dupree crafted his signature style by building on a base of the deep Texas blues he heard growing up. Dupree loved the sounds of T-Bone Walker and Lightnin' Hopkins, but the syncopated twang in his sound came from an eclectic assortment of artists from the Lone Star state and beyond. "I was inspired by Johnny "Guitar" Watson, and Wayne Bennett, who I was fortunate enough to hear with Bobby 'Blue' Bland," remembers Dupree. "There were country and western artists I enjoyed, too, like Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb." Dupree's diverse musical interests are reflected in his own choices for the five pieces that contain his best work: "I'm most proud of “Rainy Night in Georgia,” with Brook Benton, Aretha Franklin's “Live at Fillmore West,” “King Curtis' Live at Fillmore West,” Donny Hathaway's “Live,: and Lil' Esther Phillips on “From a Whisper to a Scream." Dupree runs down those titles without a trace of braggadocio, and his humility has probably been an intangible ingredient in his success as a sideman and session pro.

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Recording

Cornell Dupree Last Recording Released on Dialtone Records

Cornell Dupree Last Recording Released on Dialtone Records

Source: Edward stout

Cornell Dupree: I'm Alright (Dialtone Records, DT0023) I'm Alright, has the stamp of Cornell through and through. Cornell's theory was to surround himself with great musicians and he got what he needed from the young hotbed of players in Austin TX. In the studio Cornell would put out an idea, roll it around and just start playing with the song. On “Doin' Alright" Cornell and George Porter came up with the basic idea and everyone else chimed in with their ...

161

Obituary

Cornell Dupree - R.I.P.

Cornell Dupree - R.I.P.

Source: Sound Insights by Doug Payne

The legendary guitarist Cornell Dupree died on Sunday, May 8, 2011. He was 68 years old. Dupree had earlier been diagnosed with emphysema and was to have had a lung transplant. A benefit concert was held at BB King's New York City club on March 11 to help raise funds for Dupree's medical expenses. Born on December 19, 1942, in Fort Worth, Texas, Dupree was discovered by King Curtis, who brought the young guitarist to New York City, where his ...

Sol Roots
guitar and vocals

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Mr. 2500 / Live At...

Birdland Records
2003

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Bop'N'Blues

Kokopelli Records
1995

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Guitar Riffs For DJs...

Birdland Records
1993

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Can't Get Through

Birdland Records
1991

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Guitar Legends

Accord (2)
1982

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Cornell Dupree's...

Birdland Records
1977

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