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Clarence “Mac” McDonald, a keyboard player, producer, songwriter and arranger who worked with artists including James Taylor, Ray Charles, Bill Withers and the Emotions, died in Las Vegas July 21 from complications related to cancer, his friends and family reported. He was 76.

During a 50-year-plus career in the music business, McDonald had as among his biggest hits as a producer the 1977 No. 1 smash by the Emotions, “Best of My Love,” from the Rejoice album he produced with Maurice White. He was also a producer on Bill Withers’ classic “Lovely Day” and the rest of Withers’ Menagerie album.

In 2004, he played keyboards on and arranged a duet between his friend Ray Charles and Gladys Knight, “Heaven Help Us All,” for Charles’ swan song, “Genius Loves Company.” The recording won a gospel Grammy.

Others McDonald worked with as a producer, arranger or writer included Patti LaBelle, Johnny Mathis, Freddie Hubbard, Friends of Distinction, the Fifth Dimension, Billy Preston, Stanley Turrentine, the Whispers, the Memphis Horns and Nancy Wilson. Some of his early success as a songwriter came as a co-writer on most of the songs on Deniece Williams’ debut album, This Is Niecy.

One of the greats. May he now his peaceful (and well-earned) rest.