Jack McDuff; Band Leader, Organist

Jack McDuff, 74, a musician and band leader who was a driving force in the development of the Hammond B-3 organ as a jazz instrument. Born Eugene McDuffy in Champaign, Ill., McDuff began his professional career as a bassist working with pianist Denny Zeitlin and saxophonist Joe Farrell. In the 1950s, his interest turned to the piano and organ, which he taught himself to play, and the bluesy style of performers such as tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons. Following the lead of organist Jimmy Smith, the organ band became one of the leading trends in jazz in the late 1950s and early 1960s. McDuff, who performed under the name Brother Jack McDuff, fronted one of those bands, called Heatin’ System, which included a young guitarist named George Benson. McDuff recorded with several well-known labels, including Prestige in the 1960s. McDuff, who had been in failing health for several years, died Tuesday in Minneapolis of a heart attack.