James Duggan, Musician, Is Dead Of Cancer At Age 52
01-18-1995 Times Picayune

*************************************************
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
************************************************  


James Robert Duggan Jr., musical director of the Delta Queen
Steamboat Co. since 1992 and a longtime New Orleans musician,
died Monday at his home of cancer. He was 52.

Mr. Duggan was born in Jersey City, N.J., and lived in Metairie
for many years.

He was a graduate of Somerville, N.J., High School and received
a bachelor of music education degree from Southeastern Louisiana
University and a master of music degree from the Manhattan
School of Music.

He joined the music faculty of the University of Wisconsin at
Stevens Point in 1967, leading operatic and musical productions.
He also conducted the Stevens PointCentral Wisconsin Orchestra.

He later returned to New Orleans and joined the Pete Fountain
Band, playing with it for 11 years.

During the 1980s he worked as a free-lance trombonist, arranger
and band leader. He performed with many local bands including
the Herb Tassin Orchestra, the Blue Room Band and the Al
Belletto Septet. He also led his own band, Lettin' Off Steam,
aboard the Mississippi Queen steamboat.

In 1987 he joined the Al Hirt Band as a trombonist and
conductor.

As a conductor for Fountain, Hirt and Ronnie Kole, Mr. Duggan
led many orchestras including the New Orleans Symphony, Miami
Symphony, Sacramento Symphony, Chautauqua Orchestra and Houston
Pops. He was a guest "pops" conductor for the Louisiana
Philharmonic Orchestra in 1992.

Mr. Duggan's arrangements were used during half-time shows at
the Super Bowl and Sugar Bowl, by the Boston Pops and on "The
Tonight Show" and other radio and television shows.

He performed on Harry Connick Jr.'s first two recordings and
recently completed a recording with Harry Connick Sr. He
performed at the White House with Fountain's band and on "The
Tonight Show" with Fountain and later with the younger Connick.

Mr. Duggan was named to SLU's Music Hall of Fame in 1994.

He was a member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local
174-496, and of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and was a parishioner of
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife, Judith Elliott Duggan; his parents,
James Sr. and Amy Cahill Duggan; two sons, James III and
Jonathan Duggan; and two sisters, Patricia Jannone and Linda
Curtis.

A Mass will be said Friday at 11 a.m. at Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp
Funeral Home, 1600 N. Causeway Blvd. Burial will be in Garden of
Memories Cemetery.