R.I.P. George Duke Jan. 12th 1946 - August 5th 2013

Sadly, on Mon. Aug 5th 2013, the music world lost a world renown musician (keyboardist) George Duke (January 12, 1946 – August 5, 2013) Who passed away from his long time battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Word is Jean Luc Ponty made a name for George in 69. He performed with Cannonball Adderley's band during this time (fusion era) everything I've heard from Mr. Adderley during these times was pure genius & extra funkeey! George acquainted himself closely, and was featured on a number of Frank Zappa albums, which unfortunately I'm unfamiliar with. Whether he was working solo, or producing albums, you could expect quality, and that signature funk sound he had. His music was sampled by the likes of Madlib, Pete Rock, A Tribe Called Quest, Scarface & W.C. & the Maad Circle, which leads me to the above link "Reach For It" which was used for W.C.'s, "West Up" and is probably his most recognizably sampled joint! R.I.P. George Duke, 67 yrs old.