Cornell Dupree Biography

Cornell Dupree is an influential R&B guitarist who has worked with Donny Hathaway and Steve Gadd, appeared on David Letterman, and written a book on soul and blues guitar: Rhythm and Blues Guitar ISBN 0-634-00149-3. He has recorded on - reputedly - over 2500 albums, many by major artists. He started off playing in the Atlantic Records studio band, recording on albums by Aretha Franklin ("Live at the Fillmore") and King Curtis ("Memphis Soul Stew"). Later on he formed the band Stuff which featured fellow guitarist Eric Gale (who has a somewhat similar playing style), Richard Tee on keyboards, Steve Gadd and Chris Parker on drums, and Gordon Edwards on bass. Dupree and Richard Tee recorded together on many occasions.

Notable albums include the aforementioned Aretha and King Curtis records, Joe Cocker's "Stingray" and "Luxury You Can Afford," and Cornell's solo albums "Can't Get Through," "Coast To Coast," "Uncle Funky," and "Bop'n'Blues."

Dupree possesses a unique style that involves double stops and partial chording. His style is sometimes compared to the approach of Steve Cropper; both guitarists sound as if they play rhythm and lead guitar simultaneously.

Still active, Dupree uses a Fender "red-knob" Twin reverb and plays a Yamaha signature guitar called the Dupree Super Jam (it used to be a model similar to the SJ-550 HM, but now is closer to a 3-pickup Pacifica with a maple neck). He played the superlative guitar on Brook Benton's "A Rainy Night In Georgia" and " Please Send Me Someone To Love".