Edwin Duff 1928 – 2012
We wish to sadly advise that popular jazz singer Edwin Duff passed away early Monday morning, 9th of July 2012, at a nursing home in Vaucluse. He was 84.
Travelling from Scotland to Australia in 1938 at the age of 10, Edwin Duff won an on-board singing competition and impressed all, including one passenger who was associated with Melbourne radio station 3KZ. Invited to visit the station, Duff sang in children’s programs and amateur shows. He stopped performing for a time to attend high school but soon left at 14 years old to sing in coffee lounges, developing a style that was all his own.
He soon became a Kings Cross personality, singing in bars and lounges; on cruise ships and television programs. Duff was a huge part of the 1940’s jazz scene and continued performing well into his older years, even preparing to celebrate his 81st birthday with a performance.
His funeral will be held at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park Crematorium on Monday the 16th of July. We are all very sorry to lose such a great jazz icon.