Al Jarreau got his start playing in a jazz trio led by pianist/keyboardist
George Duke, so it is fitting that
Jarreau pays tribute to
Duke, who passed away in 2013, on his 2014 album
My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke. It was while working as a vocal rehab counselor at a hospital in San Francisco in the late '60s that
Jarreau began singing with
Duke's trio. It was also due in part to the popularity of these early performances that both musicians' storied solo careers were launched. On
My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke,
Jarreau delves into a batch of
Duke compositions with a select group of guest artists, many of whom also had connections to
Duke. Joining
Jarreau here are such luminaries as
Gerald Albright,
Lalah Hathaway,
Jeffrey Osborne,
Dianne Reeves, and others. Similarly, backing
Jarreau at various times is a superb ensemble of musicians including bassist
Stanley Clarke (who also produced the album), keyboardists
John Beasley and
Patrice Rushen, guitarist
Paul Jackson, Jr., and drummer
John "J.R." Robinson. In fact,
Duke himself makes an appearance here via the wonders of modern technology on the languidly romantic "Bring Me Joy." Elsewhere,
Jarreau turns his sonorous, joyful voice to such
Duke songs as "Sweet Baby," "No Rhyme, No Reason," "You Touch My Brain," and more. Ultimately,
My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke is a heartfelt tribute album that, as with many of
Jarreau and
Duke's previous albums, feels fresh, warm, and full of love. ~ Matt Collar