George Duke & Band live at Montreux Jazz Festival 2009

 

George Duke - Piano, Keyboards, Vocals

Arlington Jones - Keyboards

Jeff Johnson - Guitar

Mike Manson - Bass

Ronald Bruner - Drums

plus Cubanismo Horn Section & Backing Vocalists

Montreux Jazz Festival, July 13, 2009

1. Medley: Everyday Hero/I Tried To Tell You/Somebody Laid It On Us/Sudan/Are You Ready (Duke)

2. Zappa Tribute Medley: Cosmic Debris/Inca Roads/Uncle Remus (Zappa)

3. T Jam (Duke)

Veteran keyboardist and producer George Duke remembers a time when funk was a powerful force – not just in popular music but in social discourse. Frequently with a measure of wit and irony, and often with a strong dose of positivity at the core, titans like James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone and other funk icons of the ‘60s and ‘70s boldly addressed societal concerns ranging from poverty to racial disharmony to the battle of the sexes.

Duke invokes that same combination of wit and wisdom in Dukey Treats, his debut on BPM/Heads Up International set for worldwide release on August 26, 2008. A careful balance of rhythmic energy and simmering balladry, Dukey Treats recalls the golden age of funk and soul, while at the same time maintaining a fresh sound and addressing issues that are relevant to the global culture of the 21st century.