Born Eugene McDuffy in Champaign, Illinois, McDuff began playing bass, appearing in Joe Farrell's group.

McDuff soon became a bandleader, leading groups featuring a young George Benson on guitar,[2] Red Holloway on tenor saxophone and Joe Dukes on drums.

To Seek a New Home (1970) was recorded in England with a line-up featuring blues shouter Jimmy Witherspoon and some of Britain's top jazz musicians of the day, including Terry Smith on guitar and Dick Morrissey on tenor saxophone.

Despite having health problems, McDuff continued working and recording throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and he toured Japan with Atsuko Hashimoto in 2000.

[6] With Gene Ammons With George Benson With Joshua Breakstone With Kenny Burrell With Hank Crawford With King Curtis With Lou Donaldson With Joe Dukes With Grant Green With Al Grey With Roy Hargrove With Gene Harris With Willis Jackson With Etta James and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson With Bill Jennings With Roland Kirk With Carmen McRae With Mike Pachelli With Houston Person With Betty Roché With Shakey Jake With Dave Specter With Sonny Stitt With Winston Walls With Joe Williams With Jimmy Witherspoon With Kankawa