This is an extremely sad day for any musician who has loved and appreciated the wonderful musical style of the one and only George Duke. At age 67, the legend has passed on to join the ranks of other greats who jazz up the heavens.

I was fortunate enough to see one of his last shows (with Stanley Clarke) on the closing weekend of Jazzfest New Orleans, 2013. The show started out normal enough–that is until Mr. Duke picked up his keytar and proceeded to blow away the entire room with a frenzied lead reminiscent of his old fusion days. You couldn’t help but smile, as did Mr. Clarke, at the youthful joy that George Duke brought to the music. He is truly an innovator and an adept in the world of jazz fusion, and all of us here at Luxuryville will surely miss him. R.I.P. George Duke!