James Mtume, a percussionist who played in Miles Davis’ founding fusion group from 1971 to 1975 and then enjoyed success with his own eponymous group, has died at the age of 76.

The daughter of late Mtume creative partner Reggie Lucas Lisa Lucas took to Twitter this morning to confirm the musician’s passing.

“So much loss. So much sorrow. Rest in power to Uncle Mtume. My late father accomplice, co-creator of the songs of my life (and of my birth!). He was an integral part of the life of the man who made me, so me too. Gone now. He will be sadly missed, forever, ”Lucas wrote.

There is no cause of death at the time of reporting.

Mtume has appeared on 80 albums along with a wide variety of other notable musicians including Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Roberta Flack and Lonnie Liston Smith.

His namesake band Mtume has had several No. 1 hits on the Billboard charts, including the highly sampled “Juicy Fruit”.

During his time with his own band, Mtume has also written songs for an assortment of artists, including Stephanie Mills’ hit single “Never Knew Love Like This Before” for which he both received Grammy for Best Writing. and production of R&B songs and the Roberta Flack / Donny Hathaway singles “The Closer I get To You” and “Back Together Aga and the Roberta Flack / Donny Hathawayhit singles” The Closer I Get To You “and” Back Together Again “.

Following the disbandment of Mtume, James Mtume resumed his already prolific career of songwriting and production, which included writing “Freak Tonight” by R. Kelly of the A fine line between love and hate soundtrack, and co-producing Mary J. Blige’s album, Share my world. He also produced Roy Ayers and the Bar-Kays, and composed the music and theme song for the 1990s televised crime drama. New York infiltrated.

Information on survivors and memorial plans was not immediately available.