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here to see George Duke at the St. Lucia Jazz Festival 2007.
12 January 1946 – 5 August 2013
Master keyboardist, composer & producer, George Duke died
at St John’s Hospital in Los Angeles where he was admitted
a few days prior with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was 67.
Duke’s passing comes just over a year after the death
of his wife, Corine, from cancer. Duke’s recent album release
“Dreamweaver” is dedicated to her memory.
Californian born George Duke began playing the piano at age seven,
after seeing Duke Ellington in concert. He absorbed the roots of
Black music in his local Baptist church where he first began to
create his now renowned funky fusion fireworks. Music lovers of
many diverse genres have absorbed Duke’s legacy of 70’s
– 80’s soul funk fusion. Duke’s drive and energy
still has a profound influence on many newcomers as well as his
predecessors still in the business of making music today. Duke has
performed with the likes of Michael Jackson, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams,
Dizzy Gillespie and Stanley Clarke during the 70’s; a time
that was filled with musical experimentation. Duke was musical director
for the Soul Train Awards in the 90s and has written songs for the
likes of Natalie Cole, Al Jarreau and Regina Belle, and produced
albums for Rachelle Ferrell and Diane Reeves to name but a few.
Duke received the coveted Edison Life Time Achievement Award in
Rotterdam in 2005.
Duke is survived by two sons, Rashid and John.
I spoke briefly with George Duke prior to his ‘electric’
performance at St. Lucia’s Jazz Festival in 2007. He spoke
passionately about his children, his upcoming projects and his admiration
for artists such as Rachelle Ferrell and Dianne Reeves. We parted
on a warm handshake and promised to meet again, however, due to
his busy schedule (and my disorganised schedule) our meeting never
happened.
Robin Francis
© Michael Valentine Studio Ltd.
Friends such as Stevie Wonder, Marcus Miller, Chaka Khan and
many more came together for an extremely moving memorial service
in Los Angeles on 19 August 2013…
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