George Duke
George Martin Duke (January 12, 1946 – August 5, 2013) was an influential American keyboardist, composer, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Born in San Rafael, California, Duke was introduced to music at a young age and began formal piano studies at seven. He attended Tamalpais High School and earned a bachelor's degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, followed by a master's degree in composition from San Francisco State University.
Duke's career began in the mid-1960s, and he gained recognition with the album "The Jean-Luc Ponty Experience with the George Duke Trio." He became well-known for his 32 solo albums, with "A Brazilian Love Affair" from 1979 being particularly popular. Duke was also celebrated for his collaborations with artists like Frank Zappa, with whom he worked as a member of The Mothers of Invention, and Stanley Clarke, with whom he produced the hit single "Sweet Baby."
Throughout his career, Duke explored various genres, including jazz fusion, funk, and smooth jazz, and recorded under labels such as Atlantic, Epic, and Warner Bros. His contributions to music extended beyond performance to roles as an arranger, music director, and educator, teaching jazz and American culture. George Duke's legacy is marked by his versatility and innovation in the music industry.
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