A very talented man.
More in the news upon a minor search.
RIP 
Wow…another talented artist gone. 
Nastiest minimoog funkmaster. RIP, Dukey.
When I saw this posting, I thought maybe something along the lines of a sudden heart attack or an automobile accident.
Seemed healthy as a horse when he made the Soul Treasures recordings for Native Instruments: http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/keys/george-duke-soul-treasures/videos-sounds-images/?content=1396
I’m not a big software VST virtual type of guy but I like the video for this so much, I dropped the dough for it. No, I haven’t used it but the guy was a legend and and this is a[nother] very sad loss… : ( (check out the video on the link above; I’m sure there are tons of clips on youtube and documentaries, etc. but it’s nice to see him from just a year or so ago)
Here is an excerpt from a documentary he was featured in:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Azlcf5ruY
And here is a funk tutorial, if you wanna get down like that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT2ZBoWtNes
Noooooo!!! I am going to miss that badass. Miss the singin and playing.
I picked up Feel in '74. Even though he was using Odysseys at the time, I could tell he was going to be a serious challenge to the Jan Hammer monosynth title. Then I saw him w/Zappa in '75. Man, what a band!
I have everything from then up 'til Dream On. IMO, not his best effort, but his reworking of Someday is nothing short of amazing.
Actually, anything the guy touched was magical–Acoustic, Rhodes, Wurly, Clav, as well as synths.
I’ll always remember what Shirley Walker once told me: “He’s such a nice man”.
Rest well, Mr. Duke.
i only found out yesterday about George Duke. Shame.
This is my all time favourite solo by him (on a Raul De Souza track).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzkiJLkD0B8
Does anyone have a copy of the INSTRUCTION VIDEO he made in the 1980’s please ?? i think it was filmed in a college classroom or something ?? He talks about solo structure, composition, comping behing vocalists, amongst other things. i have always wanted to watch (and learn from) it.
Ta,
Paul
Just returned from vacation and found this! 
Oh, this is really sad news!
Duke was a master of keys, played this funk kind of music that could raise the dead to dance…
and he seemed a really joyous and humorous man (maybe due to the Frank Zappa connection)
thanks for the music, the spirit and everything - he won’t be forgotten…
I love heavily the ‘clark/duke’ 1981 album.
in case nobody posted this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT2ZBoWtNes
but mostly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTrZAq7Q8Wk
this solo is pure George duke for me
Rest In Peace Dear George…
Here is a very interesting speech by Stanley Clarke (lasts about 8 x mins) for anyone who has not seen seen it yet. And there is also a short Al Jarreau one from the same Memorial which is quite bizarre and worth a watch !! lol