R.I.P. George Duke, Legendary Jazz/Funk Keyboardist/Producer

[DudeAsInCool]

George Duke, a keyboardist and producer whose work spanned across jazz, fusion, funk, and R&B, passed away last night of unknown causes in Los Angeles, NPR reports. He was 67.

Active in the music world since the 1960s, Duke was a prolific solo artist and leader of various ensembles, releasing over 30 albums. He also worked as a producer and guest musician with artists like Michael Jackson, Frank Zappa, and Miles Davis.

Duke scored a number of films and is responsible for the sample source material for a number of contemporary dance and rap songs, including tracks by Daft Punk, Common, Madlib, A Tribe Called Quest, MF Doom, Ice Cube, and countless others. Thundercat covered his track "For Love (I Come Your Friend)".

In July, Duke released his last album, Dreamweaver.

"Dukey Stick":

"For Love (I Come Your Friend)":

"I Love You More" (sampled on "Digital Love"):

[url=http://pitchfork.com/news/51790-rip-george-duke/]View the full article[/url]