Jazz musician George Duke’s career spanned 40- plus years
NEW YORK — George Duke, the Grammy- winning jazz keyboardist and producer whose sound infused acoustic jazz, electronic jazz, funk, R& B and soul in a 40- year- plus career, has died. He was 67.
A representative for Duke said the performer died Monday night in Los Angeles. Duke was being treated for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Duke’s son, Rashid, thanked his father’s fans in a statement Tuesday.
“The outpouring of love and support that we have received from my father’s friends, fans and the entire music community has been overwhelming,” he said. “Thank you all for your concern, prayers and support.”
Duke was born in San Rafael, Calif. He appeared on a number of Frank Zappa albums and played in the Don Ellis Orchestra, Cannonball Adderley’s band and with jazz musician Stanley Clarke. Duke also played keyboard on Michael Jackson’s multiplatinum 1979 album, Off the Wall.
Duke began taking piano lessons when he was four years old after seeing Duke Ellington perform. “I don’t remember it too well ... but my mother told me I went crazy,” Duke said on his website. “I ran around saying, ‘ Get me a piano, get me a piano!’ ”
Duke said he learned a lot about music from going to church, which helped him add a funk style to his sound.