The website www.eurweb.com is reporting the death at 67 of George Duke who it says died at St. John’s hospital in Los Angeles. Sadly, it's also just over a year since the keyboardist and composer’s wife Corine passed away, and Duke paid tribute to his wife on his last album DreamWeaver released just last month. DreamWeaver opened with an étude, brief and warm, with just the keyboardist on expansive synths, and then long-time colleague Stanley Clarke joining within a seven-piece combo on ‘Stones of Orion’ with its beautiful summery vibe, in-the-pocket beat from drummer Gorden Campbell, and warm flute-inflected feel so evident. The keyboardist, best known for his work with Frank Zappa, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Stanley Clarke, had shows planned for later in the summer, and tributes to him have already begun to appear on social media sites. RIP.
UPDATE 1715 Duke's record label has issued a statement through its British distributor Proper Note.“We are all devastated by the sad news of George’s passing,” says Mark Wexler, general manager of the Concord-Telarc Label Group. “He was a great man, a legendary, one-of-a-kind artist; and our hearts go out to his family. George will be missed by all.” Duke had been battling, and had been treated for, chronic lymphocytic leukemia. “The outpouring of love and support that we have received from my father’s friends, fans and the entire music community has been overwhelming,” Rashid Duke, George’s son, is quoted in the same release. “Thank you all for your concern, prayers and support.”