Concord Records put out this statement today, 6th August:
“LEGENDARY KEYBOARD PIONEER GEORGE DUKE DIES AT 67
GRAMMY® Award-winning keyboardist/composer/arranger/producer George Duke has died in Los Angeles at age 67. He was battling and being treated for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
With almost a half a century career, Duke was one of the world’s most prolific jazz legends. From leading a jazz trio with a young Al Jarreau during his formative years to working with Jean-Luc Ponty, which afforded Duke’s first recording contract with MPS Records and his first exposure to Europe, to his incredible work with Cannonball Adderley, drummer Billy Cobham, and Frank Zappa, to his cherished stream of jazz-funk records in the ’70s, Duke found his mark not only in his eclecticism, but also his signature approach to the synthesizer, which often prized less pyrotechnics in favor of blues elements.
“We are all devastated by the sad news of George’s passing,” says Mark Wexler, General Manager of the Concord-Telarc Label Group. “He was a great man, a legendary, one-of-a-kind artist; and our hearts go out to his family. George will be missed by all.”
“The outpouring of love and support that we have received from my father’s friends, fans and the entire music community has been overwhelming,” says Rashid Duke, George’s son. “Thank you all for your concern, prayers and support.”
Duke’s final recording, DreamWeaver, was released July 16, 2013 on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group. The making of DreamWeaver occurred after his wife, Corine, passed away. The album debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart.”
Categories: miscellaneous
God rest you George.
I'm shocked at this news: doubly-so; as I was diagnosed with CLL myself in 2010 [Watch and Wait].
I had the pleasure of seeing George play with: Billy Cobham; John Schofield and Alfonso Johnson, in the Billy Cobham/George Duke Band, at the Hammersmith Odeon in the summer of 76.
That night had quite a concert line-up: The Billy Cobham/George Duke Band; Shakti with John Mclaughlin, and Weather Report all on the same bill!!!
Still shocked and saddened. Find peace, George.
That must have been one hell of a gig at the Hammy in the summer 1976!!