From The Page of The National R&B Music Society facebook/pages/The-National-RB-Music-Society-Inc/459607965482 official website rnbmusicsociety Remembering legendary musician, composer, singer and producer George Duke on the date of his birth. George Duke (born January 12, 1946 - August 5, 2013 in San Rafael, California) is a multi-faceted American musician, known as a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and producer in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He has worked with numerous acclaimed artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and professor of music. He first made a name for himself with the album The Jean-Luc Ponty Experience with the George Duke Trio. He is known primarily for thirty-odd solo albums as well as for his collaborations with other musicians including Jean-Luc Ponty, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham,[citation needed] Cannonball Adderley, his cousin Dianne Reeves, Deniece Williams, Jeffrey Osborne, George Clinton, Anita Baker, Regina Belle, Rachelle Ferrell, Marilyn Scott and Mike Mainieris jazz fusion group Steps Ahead, for whom he produced the track Magnetic Love. Duke played on Herb Ellis album, Soft Shoe (Concord, 1974) with Harry Sweets Edison; Duke played the piano and organ. He also served as a record producer and composer on two instrumental tracks on Miles Davis albums: Backyard Ritual (from Tutu, 1986) and Cobra (from Amandla, 1989). He has also worked with a number of notable Brazilian musicians, including singer Milton Nascimento, percussionist Airto Moreira and singer Flora Purim. Sheila E appeared on Dukes late-1970s solo albums Dont Let Go and Master of the Game. Duke had been fairly visible in the R&B world releasing funk-based songs like Reach for It and Dukey Stick. In 1979 he traveled to Rio de Janeiro, where he recorded A Brazilian Love Affair. He employed singers Flora Purim and Milton Nascimento and percussionist Airto Moreira. The album featured some Latin jazz and jazz-influenced material. From a jazz standpoint, the albums most noteworthy songs include Nascimentos Cravo e Canela, Love Reborn, and Up from the Sea It Arose and Ate Rio in One Swift Bite. In addition was Brazilian Sugar which was featured on the 2006 video game Dead or Alive Xtreme 2. Meanwhile, Nascimentos vocal on the ballad Ao Que Vai Nascer is an example of Brazilian pop at its most sensuous. This acclaimed album contained a wide variety of genres. No Rhyme or No Reason can be heard during the period of time designated as Quiet Storm. Duke worked with Jill Scott on her third studio album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3; guesting on the track, Whenever Youre Around. In the summer of 2011, he put together a trio with David Sanborn and Marcus Miller for a tour across the US of more than 20 sold out shows. Legacy & influence Duke died August 5, 2013 in Los Angeles from chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was 67 and is survived by his sons, Rashid and John.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 19:22:14 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015