5 questions for: George Duke

George Duke, the definitive jazz keyboardist and creator of beautiful harmonies, is celebrating 40 years in the music industry with a new recording In a Mellow Tone. Amid his numerous contributions to jazz R&B and pop music, Duke recently reunited with bassist buddy Stanley Clarke for a jazz-funk fusion tour of Europe. The duo originally joined forces in 198 t when they released The Clarke-Duke Project. Even with a list of enviable accomplishments, Duke, who received his first piano at age 7 and has played with B.B. King and produced for Dionne Warwick and AI Jarreau, isn't done yet. The mellow music man tells EBONY why.

1. Since in a Mellow Tone is your the 31st solo album, what's the Secret to your longevity in the music business? the secret to your longevity in the music business?

You know what, l have no idea. [He chuckles] I stopped counting when I got to 10. Well I think that there are several things. I try to really remain true to the spirit of the creativity of making the music that I really want to make as opposed to what other people think I should make. I've gone to school and studied so that I could always have something to fall back on if I needed to teach. The main thing is to learn the craft, which helps you to continue when a lot of other people may fall by the wayside ... In a career that spans a long period of time, you need to have some kind of diversity. It means that you don't t just play the piano, Maybe you need to write a song ... or produce a record. I have my own record company, BPM. All Otis creates Otis gumbo of why l am still around.

2. Why did you reunite with Stanley Clarke after 25 years?

The people seemed like they wanted it. Last year, we went out and did three dates in Florida. It was so successful and we had so much fun onstage that Stanley and I said, "We should do this for real."

3. What has it been like to work with music legends?

They had very strong and distinct personalities ... Mile's Davis, of course, anyone who heard that trumpet knew that it was Miles Davis. He was unique character. Sarah Vaughan was the same way and also Barry Manilow, who is a great songwriter:

4. Is there anyone who you haven't worked with that you with?

Yeah, the next artist who wants to push the envelope. I think them my artists today who kind Of take a backseat to their heart and their music.

5. Is it true that you first became interested in music at age 4 after your mother took you to a Duke Ellington concert?

That is correct. I was 4 years old. But all during my youth, my mom, who was very Afrocentric for that period time, wanted me to be culturally aware of everything. She wanted to show me something more than the ghetto that I was living in ... This one concert featured the Duke Ellington Band and I thought maybe he was a relative because his name was Duke ... I found out that he was doing something with his fingers, which l later found out [he] was playing the piano. People were clapping and having a good time. And he seemed to be smiling and having a good time. For some reason, I latched on to this man. I told my mom, 'I want to be that guy. I want to do that

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