George Duke was an influential American keyboardist, composer, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Renowned for his versatility, he released 32 solo albums and collaborated with a wide range of artists, most notably Frank Zappa. Gaining early recognition through his work with The Jean-Luc Ponty Experience and the George Duke Trio, he was also respected as a music director and arranger and contributed significantly to the evolution of jazz, funk, and fusion music.