- Born: January 12, 1946 in San Rafael, CA
- Years Active: 1971-2006
- Member of: A Taste of Honey
- Genre: Jazz
- Influenced by: Ahmad Jamal, Miles Davis, Les McCann, Igor Stravinsky, Ravel, Herbie Hancock
- Followed By: Jan Hammer, David Foster, Walter Afanasieff, Niacin, Mike Catalano, Gazzara, Alan Palanker, Alvin Frazier, Baatin
- Similar Artists: Patrice Rushen, Jorge Dalto, Bob James, Joe Sample, Edwin Birdsong, Michael Wycoff, Twennynine, Joe Zawinul, Don Blackman, Alex Bugnon, Chick Corea
George Duke showed a great deal of promise early in his career as a jazz pianist and keyboardist, but has forsaken that form to be a pop producer. Inspired early on by Les McCann, he worked with a trio in San Francisco during the mid-'60s. In 1969, Duke accompanied Jean-Luc Ponty, recording with the violinist. After eight months with the Don Ellis Orchestra, he joined Frank Zappa for much of 1970. Duke spent 1971-1972 with Cannonball Adderley and then returned to Zappa for 1973-1975. In 1975, he worked with Sonny Rollins, co-led a group with Billy Cobham, and then formed a funk band (the Clarke-Duke Project) with Stanley Clarke. By the late '70s, he was completely outside of jazz, playing R&B and producing projects for pop artists. Although he has since expressed interest in returning to active playing, little of George Duke's post-1976 work is relevant to jazz, but he has kept himself busy with projects. Dukey Treats appeared in 2008 from Heads Up Records. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide