Billy Cobham & George Duke Band - Live At Montreux Jazz Festival (1976)

Featuring George Duke, Billy Cobham, Alphonso Johnson, John Scofield,
1976 Montreux Jazz Festival

[@handsomeX]

The 70s was the most creative decade in modern music in my opinion.

[@guitarsolos89]

Facts!

[@nikolasvanegten3065]

Sometimes it takes some time to appreciate creativity. This concert is so inspired

[@alejandroprieto7192]

Late 60's & early 70's is the best for fussion. Funky, Rock & Jazz. Billy cobham - Spectrum is a nice exemple.

[@thomasryan5764]

Seriously?

[@MH-et5sn]

@@thomasryan5764 Yeah, seriously. It's pretty much indisputable. These days everyone just copies past styles or makes elementary garbage.

[@MrMjp58]

Some of the best playing in this genre I’ve come across. I suppose it was the golden age for that kind of material. Full marks also to the sound engineers on this gig/recording. Every instrument is clear and distinct. That doesn’t often happen nowadays.

[@stephansiebersigns9345]

I was there as a teenager...one of the most influential Jazz-Rock bands. They sounded like this, no post-production, just blew your ears off. The golden age of live-music...

[@jefferyroy2566]

Got to see this same lineup play outside the Student Union on the Univ. of Florida campus that same year. Didn't sound quite this good, but more than good enough to appreciate the experience. That was my first time to hear Scofield, still a monster to this day.

[@princegiles9309]

👍

[@nathanoman1]

Fucking amazing. Loving this for many years

[@morganneher8643]

I think Alphonso has to be the most underrated bassist ever. You don’t hear about him but he is on all my favorite records. I enjoy his lines and moves immensely!

[@DidacticEditions]

Morgan Neher I don't care how young he looks, he is too young there to have aqcuiered such sound and play with such legends...Let alone all the rest...Brilliant

[@pmfg875]

He is a professor now!

[@orion681]

He never was underrated....he just didn't play in mainstream music. Fans of fusion and jazz know exactly who he is and revere him.

[@shawncasey7533]

He wrote my favorite Weather Report song.

[@richtomlinson7090]

Thanks, I was wondering who the bass player was. Excellent!!!!!

[@whendrknssfalls5480]

Also underrated is John Scofield for guitarists… this was a match made in heaven for these 4 musicians to grace the same stage together.

[@lincolnadams83]

Alphonso Johnson TERRIBLY underrated!!! Awesome!!!

[@sansocie]

For me he made Weather Report.....

[@catboyzee]

I absolutely love his bass playing on 'Herandu' from Weather Report's 'Black Market' album . Not surprisingly, the song was also composed by Johnson. AJ is most definitely an underrated player.

[@tyroess7831]

Whats crazy is that he was 19 in this video

[@skineyemin4276]

@@tyroess7831 And, so was Jaco Pastorius. They were both 22-23 years old during the recording of Black Market.

[@ThaSound]

Mr. cucumber slumber!

[@DwayneETowns]

No visual effects no on stage Antics just straight up jazz, funk,rock- Fusion at its excellence decades ahead then, and still unmatchable today 2021

[@fliprileymedia9276]

Billy Cobham is a huge influence on me. When I was a teenager, I heard songs like Stratus and Red Baron, Spectrum, and I was hooked. I thought he was the greatest drummer I had ever heard at that time...and I wanted to play like him. The way he moves around the kit like that just blew me away.

[@johnpaulgettelman86]

Definitely tops

[@reginalddavis7578]

Talk about an incredible four piece group of all star fusion greatness! Billy Cobham, George Duke, John Scofield and Alphonso Johnson! Better witness this! You will never see legendary musicians like this again in a thousand years!

[@andreslo5282]

Billy Cobham makes drumming look like a full-contact sport! He's athletic AF

[@linkone11]

Even though it's Duke's band, who do the band keeps staring at, it's Billy

[@HammondB200]

it's not Duke's band

[@jamesmicucci7028]

Much as I love all the greatest drummers, past & present, in rock & in jazz, to me, Billy was The G.o.a.t. They say nobody could do what Bonham did, what Peart did, Buddy Rich, etc. They are right. But nobody could do what BC did, either. The guy had superhuman skills, power & endurance. For example, check out "The Noonward Race" by Mahavishnu Orchestra, live in April 1972, on the "Mar Y Sol" various artists festival album. It's uncanny, the interplay between him & John McLaughlin. Even in the 1990s, he still had all his chops. Look for a 1992 trio live performance video with him, Herbie Hancock & Ron Carter. He plays with relative restraint, something he wasn't really known for since his stint with Miles, until his solo, which is as explosive as 20 years before.

[@jamesmicucci7028]

@Armand d’Hubert But Ring did come up with some cool parts & patterns, that fit "their" songs like a glove, "Rain" & "Tomorrow Never Knows" being two of the best (no pun intended...😏🥁)... And, ps, he owns Carl Palmer's stainless steel kit from the "BSS" era. Pretty cool-ass.

[@bholaoates1542]

@@jamesmicucci7028 That Mahavishnu Orchestra performance of "Noonward Race" from the 'Mar y Sol' album you mentioned was my introduction to Cobham, Mahavishnu, jazz-rock fusion and ultimately jazz itself. I was in my early teen years and my mind was totally blown hearing that performance in 1972. Sadly, that Mar y Sol CD is out of print (never made it to CD, I think), but it might be available to listen to on youtube. By the way, you might already know that that performance was heavily edited and the much longer entire unedited performance is included on the 'Best of Mahavishnu' CD.

[@SKarthikeyan75]

Duke was fresh out of Zappa. Cobham fresh out of Mahavishnu. Johnson fresh out of Weather Report. The who's who of fusion :) I think this was Scofield's first outing in the fusion scene. And what a place to start.

[@dougtodd305]

Billy Cobham is so humble, yet so talented. There was only one George Duke, my favorite musician of all time.Slim one of my favorite bass players ,with unparalleled tone and creativity...what a band

[@johnpaulgettelman86]

Second your notions and John Scofield is one of my all time favorites

[@barryberko]

each one a legend in his own right, but together these guys are unreal. perfect combo

[@bradlloyd6261]

Agreed!!

[@pedrolancemachadolucesgarc9485]

I remember them back in 1976 in Gusman Hall D town Miami

[@gordon8463]

Agreed too....!!! Pure joyce!!!

[@spural]

4 Of my favorite musicians playing together, you can't ask for more

[@handsomeX]

​@@pedrolancemachadolucesgarc9485 Wow Gusman Hall. Is that still around?

[@marnixgroot9538]

I hate the world for not fully appreciating this man's amazing talent.

[@EannaButler]

Don't hate the world, share this video and educate the world!

[@johnpaulgettelman86]

Just consider yourself blessed. Just amazing beautiful workmanship

[@princegiles9309]

My favorite drummer of all time Billy Cobham especially when he was with the mahavishnu orchestra !

[@S7REULI]

timestamps. this gig is fking amazing 00:00 panhandler 04:16 juicy 12:25 red baron 20:20 almustafa the beloved 29:26 ivory tattoo 35:00 some day 44:56 hip pockets 53:00 billy drum solo 1:01:00 sweet wine 1:09:10 stratus 1:14:16 that's what she said

[@GPSjammer]

BLESS YOU CHILD

[@samueldawkins]

thanks for this

[@morganneher8643]

You 👍🔥🙏

[@tabathastaples7884]

Shepherd's Chapel Network !!!!!!! Chapter by Chapter / Verse by Verse !!!!!!! Amen

[@reginald1199]

Yeah bruh ...perfect ...good list..I have most....thnx bruh

[@weslee5621]

YESSUH!!! COBHAM DUKE JOHNSON & SCOFIELD!!! CLASSIC!!! Look at how so young they were, a young 25yr old George Duke killing it!!!!

[@chikkipop]

George was 30 in 1976. Still young, but Scofield was 25 then.

[@dantecastellucci1904]

Billy Cobham is the best drummer i have ever seen

[@hubbsllc]

I know there are plenty of "new hotness" drummers but Cobham's towering techique, precision, musicality, and chutzpah puts him in a class of one.

[@nathanoman1]

If you dont like this kind of stuff that's understandable ...if you do this is a great live set and god hot damn always love the bass and the Chapman think it is ..

[@rhmayer1]

You're not alone. A number of famous drummers have said that Billy Cobham is their favorite drummer.

[@tylerthompson1842]

I picture Billy sitting back one day and thinking about what his dream all star band would be and then picked up the phone and made it happen👌Would’ve been an amazing band to reunite while George was still with us

[@princegiles9309]

I definitely agree Billy Cobham is my favorite drummer he is a beast especially back then even when he was with the mahavish orchestra !

[@thomasd.gilmore120]

Alphonso Johnson was my bass teacher when I lived the the SFV. He was actually playing with Carlos Santana then and you are actually correct he was and is one outrageous musician. I used to go to all his live shows around L.A. and we all listened to him in awe and he is truly a humble and beautiful soul. I wish he would release the material he would present with his band, songs like Laya`s dance, outstanding song, among many. Keep on Al(Slim). Love ya! Tommy G.

[@sounddesign1496]

I saw The Billy Cobham, George Duke Band in Chicago at The Ivanhoe Theater on October 26, 1976, I still have my ticket stubs. They played 2 nights with 2 shows each night and I went to all four! One of my greatest concert experiences ever and I even met Billy at a bar in the concert hall complex two hours before the first concert and shook hands with the man! My ticket stub was priced at $7 . . . those were the days.

[@handsomeX]

Wow what an experience that must've been!

[@jeffreyjordan5325]

What a fuckin band! To all those people consumed with Joe Bonamassa and all that pentatonic blues BULLSHIT, I say listen to this! Listen to what Sco's throwin down!

[@louiscosta8307]

The facial expressions are top-notch! You can't learn that in school.

[@dlbelton100]

Nothing compares. These guys in their prime were eons ahead of the times.

[@michaschneidermusicianwrit9584]

Johnson, Scofield, Cobham and Duke, two of my idols from the mid 70s until today. STRATUS I love so much. I performed this title always with my former band as intro of our concerts.

[@ufafgd]

I assume your band was great. As drummer I did the same back in the day. Was a wonderful time for me.Hope it was for you also.

[@Basskat100]

One of greatest Jazz Rock fusion bands ever.

[@fredsanke4070]

Maybe toe to toe with Weather Report...

[@jimbrown571]

@@fredsanke4070 Sorry , this is clearly better than Weather Report. Weather Report is a little more Vanilla, from the best of my memory

[@jimbrown571]

i dont think they would appreciate the "Rock" name...this is purely Jazz fusion, Jazz/funk fusion. Boston, Toto, Yes and Chicago, Kansas is Jazz Rock

[@oholm09]

Or Carlos santana

[@Basskat100]

@@jimbrown571 these guys were pioneers of jazz Rock. Plus fusion with Funk. Amongst the other great jazz fusion rock funk musicians. In those days of the late 60's early mid 70s late 70s, it was referred to as jazz rock music. Do your homework

[@steviiiii]

ok - don't hate - this is the really FIRST TIME to listen to George Duke. I knew of his place in the scene but NEVER did this type of dive... OH MY MY - lots of good music to explore..!! This show will be in constant appreciation..!! Alphonso Johnson - young for sure but very accomplished. AND THAT BASS - I love the placement of the P-pickup..!!

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Simply out of this world Musicianship. Impeccable, the whole lot of them! 🔥 Such a young Alphonso being this BAD, daymn!!! 👌🏿👌🏿 Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤

[@briangray2986]

COBHAM/DUKE BAND WHAT AN AMAZING, EXCELLENT JAZZ-ROCK QUARTET I LOVE THESE GUYS THERE MUSIC MAKES ME HAPPY&TOUCHES MY SOUL. JAZZ-ROCK FUSION FOREVER

[@BennyboyTruth]

It doesn't get more FUNK than this

[@edwinsanjurjo2927]

FUSION - Had the pleasure of believe it or not seeing Tony Williams (RIP) Lifetime Band open up for The Billy Cobham and George Duke band in NYC Palladium on 14th Street. This was the first concert I went to - talk about being introduced to the world of LIVE MUSIC. Great MEMORIES!!

[@jimkass9331]

Was there allan holdsworth on guitar? Because allan was playing with Tony around 1975.

[@jamesconga]

Look neil peart was great rest in peace sir, but Billy is on that same level of intensity and just a genius of drumming and timing.

[@longfade]

Good lord, it must have amazing to hear - and feel - this group live. Fusion was so hip back then.

[@richardworth350]

it's hip again - just look at Thundercat, MonoNeon, Domi and JD Beck, and many more....

[@handsomeX]

​@@richardworth350 Snarky Puppy

[@ufafgd]

The good old days. Bar none. Find me a drummer like this now. And besides that, a left handed drummer. Rare.

[@pmfg875]

Left handedness may be the reason for his improvisational techniques , that’s an amazing detail. Some incredibly talented musicians have been left handed, knopfler and mark king are also left handed

[@patrickmarvin7810]

Lenny White plays a right hand kit left handed.

[@Basskat100]

The great Young John Scofield on Guitar. This was 1976. I was in High School. George Duke RIH. Alphonso Johnson on Electric Bass. What a Band

[@johnpaulgettelman86]

Second your notions second your notions

[@MrBlackbass59]

I bought that album when I was 14! Maybe that’s why I’m so screwed up now...I still love this music. R.I.P. Mr. George Duke.

[@mattizchilled4041]

Paradise all in one room

[@hubbsllc]

The Billy Cobham and George Duke Band - Live On Tour In Europe. It's a great album.

[@wirmeth]

George Duke, Billy Cobham, Alphonso Johnson and John Scofield in the seventies.. This is way too hot!

[@clivewilliams9460]

I must admit, I forgot about Alphonso. Definitely one of the greatest Bassist , in the top bracket. Probably the first man to play the Chapman Stick.

[@oblomurg]

Mr.Cobham was a pioneer in synth treatment of real drums and probably the first drummer to use looping tech amongst his other musical achievements.

[@laszlokaralyos5853]

💣😍🙏🏻 THIS WAS THE MUSIC WHICH HELPED MADE MY SON! GOD BLESS THEM GENIUSES 🙏🏻😍👍

[@englishguy9680]

This is one of the funkiest assemblies of all time.

[@functionalschizophr]

you will rise next level while watching and listening to this...

[@mitchellkillough2619]

+functionalschizophr straight truth

[@JazzKeyboardist1]

Excellent response,, seriously,,,,, But I not dare to click your channel on youtube to see if you can play chopsticks functionally ... sorry I am trying for king crimson 21 century schizoid man.. please email me back if you can play music from king crimson thanks hi

[@zankfrappe5145]

We had a vhs copy of this in college in the late 90s. We watched it repeatedly and did things that college kids do 😉 . Great times!

[@pmfg875]

🌳🕊❤️

[@anthonyjames2096]

Caught show a Taft Theater in Cincinnati. Awesome indeed. Cob showed out time and time again all night. Rolling with one hand, while the other was held high in the air. He was amazing. Mr. Johnson was cold. Duke, "The Duke" period. JS, at the time I had never seen him before. I was 15 or so. I remember tickets were $8.00. I took my sister. What a show! Does anybody remember the warm up act that night?

[@smoothjazzuk5168]

I saw this band at Hammersmith, London...they opened for Shakti and Weather Report... I think they have had a massive impact for those lucky people who saw them.... I met George and he wanted to take this band further...every musician loved George and would have loved to reform...sadly he passed...he loved this band!!! Love you George!!! X

[@myklallen7184]

Alphonso Johnson is my favorite bassist though highly underrated

[@exerciserelax8719]

Wow, I think that's the earliest use of a Stick that I've seen. I thought it wasn't invented until the early 80s.

[@garykay7418]

the heyday of fusion

[@thebreathalyzer]

That Moog solo during the cut that starts at 4:16...couldn't possibly have been anyone but the great George Duke. Love always to you, wherever you are GD. And the Rhodes piano and Moog on Space Lady is sublime.

[@uneafv3302]

Greatest version of Stratus ever! Just an amazing display of virtuosity!!!

[@joewalsh3298]

Billy. and Alphonso....wow!!!

[@dealsbetweenfriends]

Love it...........George always on top having FUN!. Moog Synth is his SOUL then!

[@alsaulso1332]

real music, real vibes, no showoffs!!! just beautiful!!

[@andrewcroft9333]

Look at the amount of kit that both Billy and George have! Al and John are virtually squeezed off the stage.

[@richardgere9365]

When musical giants walked the earth!

[@mbourne3020]

Alphonso Johnson!!!

[@tel5690]

These gentlemen was just getting started... with so much street credits to there names....so much knowledge on this stage... Alfonso is so next level to Jaco and Billy Cobham is so amazing to watch. George Duke funky and respected keyboardist (rest in peace) A young John Scofield ripping it up... great band

[@jamesconga]

This whole band has such filthy good musicians hot damn

[@tel5690]

Class is in session with this awesome line up. Everyone is at the top of there game here. Billy is on fire here George giving us those funky keys Young John and Alfonso there wow

[@beowulf3075]

And these guys played music for the sake of playing music to the best of their abilities, which were very very high, what a concept!

[@ogrebattle22763]

What a great show... What a great line-up.... George Duke is sadly missed was such a great keyboardist.... John Scofield is an excellent guitarist he is seldom mentioned & it's a shame... I don't understand why this show isn't on DVD... A very young Alfonso Johnson on bass... This is just awesome...

[@drumsbymark]

Love these two guys to death! So happy to be able to see this so many years after hearing it with just audio. Is it just me? Or is there just an incredible amount of gear on that stage?! I can't imagine how long it took to set that up and sound check it in front of a waiting crowd 😮

[@Ston247]

Clavinet with a Mutron ll phasor ! Funky as fuck !

[@pmfg875]

He could bend notes with that machine no doubt

[@bradhart1557]

alphonso looks like a kid back then. The 70's were very creative years for fusion jazz, some of the best bands/musicians came from these times.

[@GPSjammer]

He was 25 at the time

[@rodtrues1]

Dammm, just my time of Day,,,, Great Times to hear this ,,,

[@magn8195]

Exquisite double-bass drumming by Billy on Juicy!

[@scottfowler4521]

Being a former club band vocalist and percussionist, this is what REAL MUSIC is suppose to sound like. Very talented individuals. I'm 72 and STILL love it, so guys "Keep It Comin'"

[@julianwilson2926]

Pa qa Xa6 q Holidays 8 hbk 9 re i re 0

[@gregstark2106]

This is amazing. Red Baron just rips. Also... I never noticed before, how much Scofield looks like John Cleese!

[@bongofury5924]

“No he doesn’t”………….Mr. Cleese

[@handsomeX]

Yup. Gallagher too.

[@gregstark2106]

@@bongofury5924 "but that's not an argument, it's just contradiction"

[@emangroove4566]

Its amazing how G. Duke was ahead of his time with the extraterrestrial vibe with "Some Day". Maurice White was the same in his writings with EWF.

[@fz7788]

I think the first he really got into that was Inca roads I remember him talking about it

[@sergeyermolenko6034]

Никогда не видел этого фейерверка, но слышал фрагменты по радио в 70-х, возможно даже в дни этих концертов. Радиоведущий не сдерживал своих восторженных эмоций. Именно так я и представлял себе эту не видимую, таинственную, звучащую загадку. George Duke остаётся живым и вместе с живым Frank Zappa прямо сегодня зажигают неподражаемо и непревзойдённо. Мы внимательно следили ща ними, и мы знали, за кем следить, а за кем совершенно неинтересно😅 Привет из России/Советского Союза

[@rodtrues1]

It does my heart good to hear these guys play stuff, Billy C. Fighting them drums,,,,,And the boys, having fun,,

[@nastyhardcore7641]

Scofield and Johnson are also terrific players

[@AUdioHipster]

WOW...enjoying this era when music had such a lovely feeling, Cheers Doyen

[@Semper_fi_777]

Scofield. Haha. That cigarette, and he doesn't even look at his fret board. He is just that good. One with that axe. Just way too cool. lol

[@SuperMusicology101]

Saw this Band at the Tower theater in Philly 76 tore the house up first jazz fusion concert then saw Billy and Alphonso a year later this time with Jan Hammer on keys and Jeff Beck just rppied it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@darrylguerrant5101]

WHATTTT!!!! I WOULD HAVE FOUGHT DEATH TO THE MAT TO SEE THAT LINE UP NOW! But then I was about 8yrs old so it balances out right...SSSIIIGGGHHH!!!UHHH!!!

[@deangelostarnes1795]

Billy, Alphonso, Jeff Beck, and Jan Hammer?!?!?! GODDAMN!!! I hope somebody got a tape of that sheeitt!!!

[@jamesmicucci7028]

To my knowledge, they didn't play CT or western MA. No way in the world I woulda missed THAT one! Now THAT'S the show that shoulda been released under the title "ALiveMutha4Ya"...!!!

[@jamesmicucci7028]

Clarification: I was referring above to the show with Billy & Jeff Beck. Jeff Beck with The Jan Hammer Group DID play CT in 1976, I believe, at The Pinecrest Country Club in Shelton. And, as I've stated elsewhere here, I saw the Cobham/Duke Band a couple of times at Shaboo Inn in Willimantic, CT. They were fabulous. And, for some reason, I thought they were much better in person than on the live album.

[@jefferyroy2566]

I was fortunate enough to catch them for free, playing outside the Univ. of Florida Student Union in 1976. I even managed to ask Cobham if there were any plans to team up again with Tommy Bolin. He just shrugged his shoulders and went back to breaking down his drum kit. Most of us know the talented but addicted Bolin OD'd in December of that year. Sad but true repeat event all too common in the 1970s.

[@naymylord]

Same lineup played Vancouver at the commodore Front row baby

[@martinsprenz2872]

24:00 (!!!) Gänsehautmoment. Absolut geil arrangierte Mugge.

[@blackbrownbeige55]

I sooooooooooo remember this TIME. All GREAT.... Cobham is STILL AMAZING

[@-dash]

Best Red Baron ever to be performed, ever.

[@ancrumq12]

This takes me to another world.

[@lantonnoiye8574]

Clearly

[@BassMecca312]

Teach me OH GREAT ONES. These are Masters of their craft.

[@JazzKeyboardist1]

good one.. Do you have a musical instrument? the great one teachers say that is the first step..lol .. I have free musical lessons on my channel for all instruments if you are intermediate

[@supervivienteeterno8827]

IMPRESINANTE ACTUACION, sin "" trampa , sin ordenadores modernos ,,,, en vivo y en directo 4 genios del jazzrock ..... Ya empezaba a destacar Alphonso Johnson como bajista ,,,, La entrada de Jhon Scfield es espectacular,,,Geoergo y Billy , geniales .

[@oholm09]

r.I.p George Duke never forgotten

[@pmfg875]

This really needs to be on every channel.

[@martinellijodka]

Kaum zu fassen..mal wieder ! Und die perligen Töne von Mr. Duke ..wooow

[@Basskat100]

This is when Brother Billy was in his young prime.

[@linkone11]

Don't forget his impossible drumming with Mahavishnu Orch, Newport Jazz Fest, maybe 1971, on youtube; forced me to buy double pedals, stole so many licks from him (at least the ones I could play)

[@mbourne3020]

Those guys are playing a game and overjoyed

[@Drivethebeat]

Had this album when I was 15. Catch Alphonso Johnson's "On the Case" Moonshadows) around this time too - Not to mention Billy Cobham's "Spectrum". Bought that when I was 13 (1973) - With my paper route money! Wanna know about fusion, just ask.

[@MrLittlepump1]

My friends brother was about 5 years older than us. He had us on a steady diet of this stuff at an early age as well.

[@jamesmicucci7028]

You just said the magic word. "Spectrum" is my favorite album by any drummer in fusion or rock (Bill Bruford & others notwithstanding), and has been since it's release in 1973 when I bought it the first time on gatefold lp...then twice more on cd. Oh yeah, half of it is also on his greatest hits cd, got that, too.

[@nigelrobinson7140]

Wow way past baad! Love the nonchalent john sco. smoking his way thru the set! Awesome band and george dukes zappaesque mischief seals the deal Gone, never forgotten george

[@briangray2986]

I AM LOOKING FOR OTHER LIVE RECORDINGS of COBHAM-DUKE BAND. GREAT STUFF SOO MUCH TALENT FROM THESE MEN.

[@erikaccou7104]

40 years ago... and still...wow. Young guys pushing the boundries. And then new influences..like Jaco...

[@BarrySmith70]

Repeated listening to the underrated classic album LIVE ON TOUR IN EUROPE brought me here! Despite the reviews, I dig this record!

[@cunegondedelatronche1210]

Oh my fuckin' god...!!! this is pure DELIGHT !!! Thanks +++ Moy Sanz ;-)

[@PhuckHue2]

For some reason George didn't care for this project or the album when it came out. I was like WHAT?! A few years before he died I emailed him giving him the reasons why this music is so great. He replied saying I was probably right. He was cool guy who responded to email from fans

[@thebreathalyzer]

Thanks for sharing. George was so wonderful, I regret never having seen him live. He's such an interesting player, could go in so many directions and was always amazing whether he was playing piano, electric piano, synth...his personality always came through.

[@neilloughran4437]

Me too... I wrote a lot with him! I even got his George Duke Songbook from 1977 and he signed it.. much missed!

[@derekflow]

Haha that is a great story, thanks for sharing

[@smoothjazzuk5168]

I was lucky enough to hang with George...he loved this band and wanted to tour with it again but He told me Sco was so busy...oh how I wish....he really LOVED this band....

[@nastyhardcore7641]

I had forgot that Duke had died. :/

[@sethbrown8912]

If there was musical justice, this band would be considered high on the list of supergroups.

[@igorkurtz3843]

Safe to say, Scofield is the definition of cool...

[@jamesmicucci7028]

Sco was cool af at the CT club show I saw with this band, I think it was in Fall 1976. Most of us Billy fans didn't even know who Sco was until this tour. John Abercrombie had been the guitarist on "Crosswinds" & I think "Total Eclipse", too. Maybe I missed one Sco was on already. Whereas Tommy Bolin had impressed on "Spectrum" that a rock dude could hang with the fusion masters, Sco went even farther with his command of jazz & fusion idioms with BC, Dukey & Alphonso. He's spread out stylistically since then, I think he's even respected in the jam band scene, but yeah, I thought he played with a cool ass intensity in this lineup.

[@jayclarke5466]

@@jamesmicucci7028love Sco…love Abercrombie..,R.I.p

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Beyond Virtuoso Jazz Funk 🔥

[@aholder4471]

If Billy were to give that kit a name, I hope he would have named it the mothership.

[@mlowack]

best Scofield ever!