"Brother" Jack McDuff, Sometimes credited as "Brother" Jack McDuff (September 17, 1926 -- January 23, 2001) was a jazz organist and bandleader prominent during the soul jazz era of the 1960s. Born Eugene McDuffy in Champaign, Illinois, McDuff began playing bass, appearing in Joe Farrell's group. Encouraged by Willis Jackson in whose band he also played bass in the late 50s, McDuff moved to the organ and began to attract the attention of Prestige Records while still with Jackson's group.