www.thejinglequeen.com 

Credited with being the first African-American female composer/producer in the advertising/record industry, Deb McDuffie is a multi-award-winning pioneer, a “behind the scenes” legend. 

McDuffie has an impressive career featuring talents in production, live performance, composing, arranging, marketing, advertising, special promotions, education, and lecturing. She has composed for, produced, performed and worked with superstars such as Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Gladys Knight, Al Green, Patti Labelle, Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson, Dr. Maya Angelou, Michael Bolton, Roberta Flack, Teddy Riley, Ashford & Simpson, BB King, Bobby Caldwell, Bill Withers, Peter Allen, Patti Austin, Wynton Marsalis, George Duke, Bill Withers, Branford Marsalis, Deniece Williams, Manhattans, Will Smith, James Ingram, Larry Graham, Jennifer Holliday, Gerald Albright, Howard Hewett, Teddy Pendergrass, Temptations, Grover Washington, Jr., Jose Feliciano, Four Tops, MC Hammer, Spinners, MC Lyte…And the list goes on... 

McDuffie relocated from New York City to Jacksonville in 1996 to pursue a career in education, retiring in 2022 after 24 years in the Duval County Public Schools, and prestigious awards such as Teacher of the Year (twice) and Cultural Council Arts Educator of the Year. Her courses varied from band, chorus, musical theatre, music appreciation, dance techniques, and peer counseling. Ms. McDuffie currently volunteers as a chorus teacher at AMI Kids in Green Cover Springs, teaching men’s chorus. 

Ms. McDuffie has been active in the community since she arrived in Jacksonville in 1996, most recently as Artistic Director for Ritz Theatre & Museum, which includes founding Ritz Voices, Puttin’ on the Ritz, and several other community-focused live programs dedicated to providing arts and cultural events to the Jacksonville community and neighboring cities. She is also active in local television, serving as a judge on WJXT’s “Gimme the Mike”, and currently, “Oh Say Can You Sing” talent competitions. 

McDuffie launched the JI’QUE MUSIQUE record label in 2023, a producer’s project that showcases a variety of incredible musical talent. Credited with developing his legendary “woo”, McDuffie appears in the soon-to-be-released Luther Vandross documentary, “Never Too Much”. Her multi-media autobiography, “Reign of the Jingle Queen” is scheduled for publication in the summer of 2024.