Robert McDuffie with Gregg Allman and Chuck Leavell in Atlanta

Robert McDuffie joined with Gregg Allman, the legendary Southern rock musician(and one of McDuffie’s musical heroes)Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to spotlight Georgia music during the January 20 concert, “Celebrating Georgia with Chuck Leavell and Friends.,” In front of an appreciative audience in Atlanta Symphony Hall, the three played such southern rock classics as Midnight Rider and Statesboro Blues .  McDuffie also played the last movement of Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto with the symphony.  “In some ways, the addition of McDuffie might have been the night’s biggest delight because the extent of his playing was unexpected,” wrote the music critic for the Atlanta Journal Constitution.  “The internationally renowned violinist almost caused the grown men in thecrowd to weep with his visceral playing.  Whether duetting with Leavell on the latter’s ‘Southscape’ or soloing with the ASO, McDuffie mesmerized.