I was devastated to hear that San
Rafael native George Duke, keyboard pioneer, composer, singer, musical
director, and producer, passed away yesterday at the age of 67.
Duke earned a Bachelor’s in
composition from the San Francisco Conservatory, and a Master’s from San
Francisco State University. He also briefly taught Jazz and American Culture at
Merritt Junior College.
He was one of the innovators of
jazz fusion, but dabbled in many genres, encompassing R&B, funk, pop,
alternative rock, and cross-over jazz. Duke’s more famous collaborations with
other artists of note include Jean-Luc Ponty, Cannonball Adderley, his cousin
Dianne Reeves, Frank Zappa, Deniece Williams, Jeffrey Osborne, George Clinton,
Anita Baker, Regina Belle, and Rachelle Ferrell, and of course the infamous
Clarke-Duke Project with Stanley Clarke.
In 2011, Duke toured with David
Sanborn and Marcus Miller across the United States, with more than 20 sold out
shows. Duke was inducted into The Soul Music Hall Of Fame at SoulMusic.com in
December 2012.
Listen to one of my favorites from
the incomparable George Duke from the year 1992, “No Rhyme No Reason,” a
fitting tribute for an extraordinarily talented man.
George Duke [1946 – 2013]
© 08/06/2013
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