A mixed media performance celebrating
the legendary blues musician
"champion" jack dupree
​

During the 1960's, Champion Jack and his American station wagon were a familiar, if unusual, sight around Ovenden and Halifax. Jack had met and married a local girl, Shirley, and their Ovenden home became the base from which he continued touring. He worked with greats such as John Lee Hooker, BB King and Eric Clapton, all of whom stayed over after gigs to keep the party going and if they were lucky, Jack would cook up some of his favourite New Orleans food.

Jack was a restless spirit who never stopped moving, or searching, a victim of racism and the Jim Crow laws of the American south, a war hero and champion boxer, a migrant who sought and found not just sanctuary but love, in Calderdale.
​​

Dates:
Tues 8 & Wed 9 October
The Grayston Unity, Halifax

Fri 11 October
The Forest Cottage Centre, Ovenden

Sat 12 October
The Cross Keys, Siddal

​Very special thanks to Jack's daughters for the use of photos from his time living in Ovenden!

Cast:
 
Jack
Torban Healey Hunter
 
Shirley
Jess Sweeney
 
 
With special thanks to:
Jackie Dupree
Georgie Kirby
Christine Priestley
 
Contributors:
Eva Acking
Val Deegan
Rod Eastwood
Graham Fellows
Dave Hackney
Eileen Hanson
Paul Hanson
Amelia Lawler
Kenn Landing
Dave Stansfield
Richard Sykes
Amanda Tattersall
 
Generously supported by:
 
Historic England
with thanks to Keith Emerick
 
Calderdale Council & Culturedale
with thanks to Bobsie Robinson
Cllr Stuart Cairney

Preformance Venues: 
​
The Grayston Unity
Michael, Tom & Will
 
Forest Cottage Community Centre
Steve Smith
 
The Cross Keys
Hugh Kirby
 

Written & Directed by:
Mick Martin
 
Production by:
Jude Wright
 
Interviews & Research by:
Trizia Wells

Production Filming
Dave Hackney
 
Archive Photographer
Nigel Hillier
 
Production Support
Dave Searle
​
With thanks to: 
​
Phoenix Radio
Howie Priestley
 
West Yorkshire Archive Service
Ruth Cummins
 
North Halifax Partnership
Rachel Orton
​Ovenden & Illingworth Residents Association
 
Calderdale College
Simon Dunn
 
St Augustine's Centre
Sara Robinson, Adrian Bell
 
Star Boxing Club
Josh Sandland
 
LightUp Black & African Heritage
Bola Eleyinmi