Al Jarreau Celebrates George Duke

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Al Jarreau pays tribute to the late George Duke and their 50 year friendship with the new CD, My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke. Jarreau sings a number of Duke’s tunes with personnel that includes Lalah Hathaway, Stanley Jordan, Marcus Miller, Dianne Reeves, Jeffrey Osborne, Gerald Albright, Kelly Price and Dr. John. The album comes out August 15th but it can be pre-ordered via PledgeMusic. Those who choose to purchase the CD through PledgeMusic have the option of also buying various VIP packages that include show tickets and a chance to meet Jarreau during soundcheck.




2013 R.I.P.

One half of hip-hop duo Kriss Kross
Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly One half of hip-hop duo Kriss Kross

Martial artist and actor
Jim Kelly Martial artist and actor

George Duke  Jazz/Fusion legend
George Duke Jazz/Fusion legend

Nelson Mandela Activist revolutionary and former president of South Africa
Nelson Mandela Activist revolutionary and former president of South Africa

Richie Havens  Folk singer and opening act at Woodstock
Richie Havens Folk singer and opening act at Woodstock

Cordell "Boogie" Mosson Bass player for Parliament/Funkadelic
Cordell “Boogie” Mosson Bass player for Parliament/Funkadelic

 Donald Byrd Jazz/R&B legend and jazz educator

Donald Byrd Jazz/R&B legend and jazz educator

 Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner Vocalist, guitarist, writer and producer for The Ohio Players
Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner
Vocalist, guitarist, writer and producer for The Ohio Players

Bobby "Blue" Bland  Modern blues singer
Bobby “Blue” Bland
Modern blues singer

Albert Murray Jazz critic and author
Albert Murray Jazz critic and author

Yusef Lateef Jazz musician
Yusef Lateef Jazz musician




George Duke Memorial Service

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George Duke’s memorial service was held in Los Angeles Monday and several musical luminaries attended including Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Lalah Hathaway, Marcus Miller, Dianne Reeves and others.




R.I.P. George Duke

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Jazz fusion legend George Duke passed away last night at the age of 67 at a Los Angeles hospital according to Motown alum Scherrie Payne. Duke’s career spanned four decades and started in the ’60’s when he recorded his first album as The George Duke Quartet. The San Rafael, California native soon developed diverse musical chops playing with the likes of Sonny Rollins, Jean Luc Ponty, Frank Zappa and Dexter Gordon. He came closest to the mainstream with his ’70’s funk hits “Reach For It” and “Dukey Stick” but most fans adore his jazz R&B output that has featured Rachelle Ferrell, Stanley Clarke, Deniece Williams, Regina Belle, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, Teena Marie, Jill Scott and his cousin Dianne Reeves. Songs like “No Rhyme, No Reason” and “Sweet Baby” proved that the meeting between jazz and R&B was not always contrived but could be classy and emotionally sincere. “I Want You For Myself” was another funk tune of his from the ’70’s that spread his legend in the dance music world. Duke also worked with Miles Davis on the albums Tutu and Amandla. His music has also been a sample mine for Madlib, Daft Punk, Kanye West, 9th Wonder and Ice Cube. Last month he released his final album Dreamweaver as a tribute to his wife Corinne who died of cancer one year ago.