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
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!
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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 |
