[2], Duke recorded his first album in 1966. He worked with numerous artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and as a professor of music. [6] Zappa played guitar solos on his album Feel (1974). In 1989, he temporarily replaced Marcus Miller as musical director of NBC's late-night music performance program Sunday Night during its first season. The album received the 2015 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album. Over the course of his four-decade-plus career, the Grammy Award-winning keyboardist put out more than 40 albums and collaborated with artists such as Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, Jill Scott and Michael Jackson. He first made a name for himself with the album The Jean-Luc Ponty Experience with the George Duke Trio. Born in San Rafael, Calif., Duke aspired to a music career from an early age, after his mother took him to a Duke Ellington concert. George Duke 2012 Interview Part 2 at Soulinterviews.com. George Duke, who has died aged 67, was one of the brightest stars in the 1970s jazz-funk firmament. [12], He was inducted into The SoulMusic Hall of Fame at SoulMusic.com[13], Al Jarreau recorded the tribute album My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke (Concord, 2014) with songs written by Duke. And his name was Duke, and my last name was Duke. He began his formal piano studies at the age of 7 at a local Baptist church. At four years old he became interested in the piano. Duke has received two awards out of nine nominations. "I don't remember it too well, but my mother told me I went crazy. A pioneer in the funk and R&B genres, he had been battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia, according to … "I remember seeing this guy in a white suit, playing this big thing, which I later found out was a piano," Duke told USA TODAY in 1997. George M Duke was born in San Rafael, California on January 12, 1946 to Thadd Duke and Beatrice Burrell and raised in Marin City. "In R&B and rock, when you are over a certain age, they say goodbye to you. After Frank Zappa and Cannonball Adderley heard him play, they invited him to join their bands. George Duke interview at allaboutjazz.com "New album, more treats". 1 on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart. George M Duke was born in San Rafael, California on January 12, 1946 to Thadd Duke and Beatrice Burrell and raised in Marin City. During the 1980s his career moved to a second phase as he spent much of his time as a record producer. But in jazz, you just kind of level off and continue to gain respect, so long as you keep your integrity.". He spent two years with Zappa as a member of The Mothers of Invention, two years with Adderley, then returned to Zappa. "The outpouring of love and support that we have received from my father's friends, fans and the entire music community has been overwhelming," said his son, Rashid Duke, in a statement. [6], Duke worked as musical director at the Nelson Mandela tribute concert at Wembley Stadium in London in 1988. [8], In 1975, Duke fused jazz with pop, funk, and soul music on his album From Me to You. [3], Although Duke started playing classical music, he credited his cousin Charles Burrell for convincing him to switch to jazz. George Duke, legendary jazz, R&B, funk musician has died at age 67. Celebrities took to Twitter to express their condolences: Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. [2] He earned a master's degree in composition from San Francisco State University in 1975. [11], The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. On the morning of February 6, 1952, George VI was discovered dead in bed at the age of 56. His second was with French violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, with whom he performed in San Francisco. He produced pop and R&B hits for A Taste of Honey, Jeffrey Osborne, and Deniece Williams. George Duke interview at allaboutjazz.com "Deja Vu". "I don't remember it too well, but my mother told me I went crazy. (August 6, 2013) George Duke, one of the true giants of popular music, has died in Los Angeles at age 67, a year after the death of Corine Duke, his wife of over four decades. At four years old he became interested in the piano. His mother took him to see Duke Ellington in concert and told him about this experience. He taught a course on jazz and American culture at Merritt College in Oakland. His mother took him to see Duke Ellington in concert and told him about this experience. Three years later his album Reach for It entered the pop charts, and his audiences increased. Duke stood as one of the true master keyboardists of the late 20 th century. [14], "Sunday Night" episodes No.104 (1988), No.113 (1989), No.114 (1989), No.121 (1989), The Jean-Luc Ponty Experience with the George Duke Trio, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s), "Legendary Jazz Artiste George Duke's Final Bow", "Jazz keyboardist George Duke dies at 67 - MSN Music News", "The Soulmusic Hall Of Fame: Legacy (Posthumous) (Inductees) | Soul Music worldwide", "Al Jarreau Salutes George Duke on New Star-Packed Album". [9] He was a judge for the second annual Independent Music Awards. Jazz musician George Duke died Monday in Los Angeles at age 67. His music was also sampled by Kanye West, Daft Punk and Common. He began his formal piano studies at the age of 7 at a local Baptist church. "Thank you all for your concern, prayers and support.". His clients included Anita Baker, Rachelle Ferrell, Everette Harp, Gladys Knight, Melissa Manchester, Barry Manilow, The Pointer Sisters, Smokey Robinson, Seawind, and Take 6.