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George Benson

This article is about the American singer and songwriter. For other people, see George Benson (disambiguation).

George Washington Benson (born March 22, 1943)[3] is an American jazz fusion guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He began his professional career at the age of 19 as a jazz guitarist.

George Benson
Benson performing
Benson performing
Background information
Birth nameGeorge Washington Benson
Born (1943-03-22) March 22, 1943 (age 81)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1964–present[1][2]
Labels
Websitegeorgebenson.com
External videos
video icon Oral History, George Benson reflects on his friendship with Bob Cavenaugh and the influence it had on his career. Interview date January 24, 2015, NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Oral History Library

A former child prodigy, Benson first came to prominence in the 1960s, playing soul jazz with Jack McDuff and others. He then launched a successful solo career, alternating between jazz, pop, R&B singing, and scat singing. His album Breezin' was certified triple-platinum, hitting no. 1 on the Billboard album chart in 1976.[4] His concerts were well attended through the 1980s, and he still has a large following.[4] Benson has won ten Grammy Awards and has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Biography

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Early career

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Benson was born and raised in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[5][6] At the age of seven, he first played the ukulele in a corner drug store, for which he was paid a few dollars. At age eight, he played guitar[5] in an unlicensed nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights, but the police soon closed the club down. At age nine, he started to record. Out of the four sides he cut, two were released: "She Makes Me Mad" backed with "It Should Have Been Me",[1] with RCA Victor in New York. Although one source indicates this record was released under the name "Little Georgie",[5] the 45rpm label is printed with the name George Benson. The single was produced by Leroy Kirkland for RCA's rhythm and blues label, Groove Records.[7]

Benson attended Connelley Vocational High School on Bedford Avenue in the Hill District. However, he dropped out, choosing to focus on music.[8][9] In 1987, Benson received an honorary degree from Pittsburgh Public Schools.[9]

As a youth, Benson learned how to play straight-ahead instrumental jazz during a relationship performing for several years with organist Jack McDuff. One of his many early guitar heroes was country-jazz guitarist Hank Garland.[10][11]

At the age of 21, he recorded his first album as leader, The New Boss Guitar, featuring McDuff.[3] Benson's next recording was It's Uptown with the George Benson Quartet, including Lonnie Smith on organ and Ronnie Cuber on baritone saxophone. Benson followed it up with The George Benson Cookbook, also with Lonnie Smith and Ronnie Cuber on baritone and drummer Marion Booker.[3] Miles Davis employed Benson in the mid-1960s, featuring his guitar on "Paraphernalia" on his 1968 Columbia release, Miles in the Sky before Benson went to Verve Records.

 
George Benson, New York 1977

Benson then signed with Creed Taylor's jazz label CTI Records, where he recorded several albums, with jazz heavyweights guesting, to some success, mainly in the jazz field. In addition to his own albums and performances, during this time Benson was a core member of the CTI All-Stars collective both touring and recording.[12] As well as the collective's live albums, he also played and recorded on a number of the collective's members' individual albums. Benson played on Freddie Hubbard 15th Annual Grammy Awards winning "Best Jazz Performance by a Group" album First Light[13] as well as five other Hubbard studio albums.[14]

His 1974 release, Bad Benson, climbed to the top spot in the Billboard jazz chart, while the follow-ups, Good King Bad (#51 Pop album) and Benson & Farrell (with Joe Farrell), both reached the jazz top-three sellers. Benson also did a version of The Beatles's 1969 album Abbey Road called The Other Side of Abbey Road, also released in 1969, and a version of "White Rabbit", originally written and recorded by San Francisco rock group Great Society, and made famous by Jefferson Airplane.[3] Benson played on many sessions for other CTI artists during this time, including Freddie Hubbard and Stanley Turrentine, notably on the latter's acclaimed album Sugar.[15]

1970s and 1980s

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George Benson "Breezin'" (1976)
Title track sample from George Benson's Breezin′ album
Problems playing this file? See media help.

By the mid-to-late 1970s, as he recorded for Warner Bros. Records, a whole new audience began to discover Benson. On 1976's Breezin', Benson sang a lead vocal on the track "This Masquerade", a song written by Leon Russell. Benson's version (notable also for the lush, romantic piano intro and solo by Jorge Dalto), became a huge pop hit and won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.[16] (He had sung vocals infrequently on albums earlier in his career, notably his rendition of "Here Comes the Sun" on The Other Side of Abbey Road album.)[16] The rest of the album is instrumental, including his rendition of the 1975 José Feliciano composition "Affirmation".

In 1976, Benson embarked on a tour called George & Minnie Live! with soul singer Minnie Riperton; she had recently been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and would die in 1979. In addition, Benson appeared as a guitarist and backup vocalist on Stevie Wonder's song "Another Star" from Wonder's album Songs in the Key of Life.

He also recorded the original version of "The Greatest Love of All" for the 1977 Muhammad Ali bio-pic, The Greatest,[16] which was later covered by Whitney Houston as "Greatest Love of All."[17] During this time Benson recorded with the German conductor Claus Ogerman.[18] The live take of "On Broadway," recorded a few months later from the 1978 release Weekend in L.A., also won a Grammy.[16]

 
Benson in Montreux 1986

The Qwest record label (a subsidiary of Warner Bros., run by Quincy Jones) released Benson's breakthrough pop album Give Me The Night, produced by Jones.[16] Benson made it into the pop and R&B top ten with the song "Give Me the Night" (written by former Heatwave keyboardist Rod Temperton). He had many hit singles such as "Love All the Hurt Away," "Turn Your Love Around," "Inside Love," "Lady Love Me," "20/20," "Shiver," "Kisses in the Moonlight." More importantly, Quincy Jones encouraged Benson to search his roots for further vocal inspiration, and he rediscovered his love for Nat King Cole, Ray Charles and Donny Hathaway in the process, influencing a string of further vocal albums into the 1990s. Despite returning to his jazz and guitar playing most recently, this theme was reflected again much later in Benson's 2000 release Absolute Benson, featuring a cover of one of Hathaway's most notable songs, "The Ghetto." Benson accumulated three other platinum LPs and two gold albums.[17]

1990s to present

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In 1990, Benson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the Berklee College of Music.[19]

To commemorate the long relationship between Benson and Ibanez and to celebrate 30 years of collaboration on the GB Signature Models, Ibanez created the GB30TH, a limited-edition model with a gold-foil finish inspired by the traditional Japanese Garahaku art form.[20]

 
A 1978 Ibanez George Benson signature guitar played by Joni Mitchell from at least 1979 to 1983[21]

In 2009, Benson was recognized by the National Endowment of the Arts as a Jazz Master, the United States highest honor in jazz.[22] Benson performed at the 49th issue of the Ohrid Summer Festival in North Macedonia on July 25, 2009, and his tribute show to Nat King Cole An Unforgettable Tribute to Nat King Cole as part of the Istanbul International Jazz Festival in Turkey on July 27.

In the fall of 2009, Benson finished recording an album entitled Songs and Stories with Marcus Miller, producer John Burk,[23] and session musicians David Paich and Steve Lukather.[24] As a part of the promotion for his album Songs and Stories, Benson has appeared or performed on The Tavis Smiley Show,[25] Jimmy Kimmel Live![26] and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.[27]

He performed at the Java Jazz Festival March 4–6, 2011. In 2011, Benson released the album Guitar Man, revisiting his 1960s/early-1970s guitar-playing roots with a 12-song collection of covers of both jazz and pop standards produced by John Burk.[28]

In June 2013, Benson released his fourth album for Concord, Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole, which included Wynton Marsalis, Idina Menzel, Till Brönner, and Judith Hill. In September, he returned to perform at Rock in Rio festival, in Rio de Janeiro, 35 years after his first performance at this festival, which was then the inaugural one.[29]

In July 2016, Benson participated as a mentor in the Sky Arts programme Guitar Star in the search for the UK and Republic of Ireland's most talented guitarist.[30]

In May 2018, Benson was featured on the Gorillaz single "Humility".[31]

 
George Benson – "This Masquerade"
Sample track from George Benson's Breezin' album (1976)
Problems playing this file? See media help.

On July 12, 2018, it was announced that Benson had signed to Mascot Label Group.[32]

Benson stopped touring internationally at the start of 2024 due to ill health - cancelling a series of UK concerts that summer.[33]

Benson released a new album, Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon on July 19, 2024.[34][35] The album was an abandoned project based on recordings with arranger and conductor Robert Farnon backed by the London Symphony Orchestra from 1989 that were thought to have been lost. Upon location of the masters, Benson played them for his current label, Rhino Entertainment, who encouraged Benson to complete the project.[34] Were the album released when it was recorded it would have predated most of the wave of Great American Songbook albums released by popular artists at the end of the 20th century and well into the 21st century. Benson also announced plans for a four-night festival called Breezin' With the Stars planned for January 2025.[34]

Personal life

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Benson has been married to Johnnie Lee since 1965 and has seven children. Benson describes his music as focusing more on love and romance, due to his commitment to his family and religious practices, with Benson being a Jehovah's Witness.[36] Benson has been a resident of Englewood, New Jersey.[37]

Discography

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Main article: George Benson discography

Awards

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Grammy Awards

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List of Grammy Awards received by George Benson[38]

Year Category Title Notes
1977 Best R&B Instrumental Performance "Theme from Good King Bad"
1977 Best Pop Instrumental Performance "Breezin'"
1977 Record of the Year "This Masquerade" Tommy LiPuma, producer
1979 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "On Broadway"
1981 Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male "Moody's Mood"
1981 Best R&B Instrumental Performance "Off Broadway"
1981 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance Give Me the Night
1984 Best Pop Instrumental Performance "Being with You"
2007 Best Traditional R&B Performance "God Bless the Child" with Al Jarreau & Jill Scott
2007 Best Pop Instrumental Performance "Mornin'"

References

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  1. ^ a b Australian ABCTV Flashez interview January 1, 1977.
  2. ^ "45 discography for Groove Records". Globaldogproductions.info. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d Richard S. Ginell. "George Benson: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 54. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. ^ a b c Bird, Christiane (2001). The Da Capo Jazz And Blues Lover's Guide to the U.s.. Da Capo Press. p. 196. ISBN 0-306-81034-4. Retrieved September 8, 2012. Hill District George Benson.
  6. ^ Mitchem, Stephanie Y.; Townes, Emilie Maureen (2008). Faith, Health, and Healing in African American Life. ABC-CLIO. p. 111. ISBN 978-0-275-99375-7. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  7. ^ Sulzer, Will. "Roots Vinyl Guide". rootsvinylguide.com.
  8. ^ "George Benson on the Scene on WZUM". WZUM Jazz Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Public Media (the owner of WZUM-FM and affiliated Pittsburgh-area jazz stations). August 8, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Seebacher, Noreen (September 30, 1987). "Schools honor dropout George Benson" (JPEG). The Pittsburgh Press (This 1987 Pittsburgh Press article was scanned into the online blog post of the radio station WZUM, which is owned by Pittsburgh Public Media.). p. A2. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  10. ^ "Hank Garland living in shadow of his greatness". Today.com. Associated Press. July 8, 2004. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  11. ^ Upchurch, Frances (December 20, 1978). "But Hank Sugarfoot Garland Was To Play His Guitar Again". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  12. ^ "The Story of the CTI All-Stars Live". Ctproduced.com. April 3, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  13. ^ "Freddie Hubbard Grammy Award and Nominations". Grammy.com. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  14. ^ "Freed Hubbard Discography Featuring George Benson as a sideman". Discogs.com. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  15. ^ "Stanley Turrentine Catalog". Jazzdisco.org. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d e Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 19/20. ISBN 0-85112-733-9.
  17. ^ a b "Digital Videos | Episodes (TV Series)". VH1. March 14, 2017. Archived from the original on January 28, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  18. ^ "The Work of Claus Ogerman". Bjbear71.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  19. ^ Chapman, Charles H. (October 7, 2010). Interviews With the Jazz Greats...and More!. Mel Bay. ISBN 978-1-60974-367-3 – via Google Books.
  20. ^ "Ibanez.com". Ibanez.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  21. ^ "Ibanez | GB10NT George Benson Signature (serial no. 0745/ I786634)". The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  22. ^ National Endowment for the Arts (March 22, 1943). "NEA Jazz Masters: George Benson, Vocalist and Solo Instrumentalist (Guitar)". Nea.gov. Archived from the original on May 29, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  23. ^ "Biography". George Benson. August 25, 2009. Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  24. ^ "Stevelukather.net - News". Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
  25. ^ "Tavis Smiley . Shows . George Benson . October 6, 2009". PBS. October 6, 2009. Archived from the original on February 14, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  26. ^ "Jimmy Kimmel Live Tomorrow Night, Wednesday Sep. 23!". George Benson. Archived from the original on April 23, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  27. ^ Mergner, Lee. "Jazz Articles: George Benson Appearing With The Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Show". Jazztimes.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  28. ^ "George Benson: Guitar Hero". Bluesandsoul.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  29. ^ "G1 – Benson e Ivan Lins levam 'risada mais gostosa' e choro ao Rock in Rio – notícias em Rock in Rio 2013". G1.globo.com. September 15, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  30. ^ "Tony Visconti, George Benson and Miloš confirmed as mentors in Sky Arts' new series of Guitar Star". Corporate.sky.com. March 8, 2016. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  31. ^ Ross, Alex Robert (May 31, 2018). "Gorillaz Confirm New Album 'The Now Now,' Share New Song, 'Humility'". vice.com.
  32. ^ "Mascot Label Group Celebrates Breakthrough Year". Mascot Label Group. Retrieved July 12, 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  33. ^ "George Benson - Cancelled". Glasgowlife.org.uk.
  34. ^ a b c Deusner, Stephen (July 29, 2024). "George Benson: Still Breezin' After All These Years". SPIN. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  35. ^ "OUT NOW: Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon". Rhino Entertainment. July 22, 2024. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  36. ^ Walden, Celia (April 6, 2010). "George Benson interview: love songs are one of the things in life that last". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  37. ^ Stewart, Zan, "The State of Jazz: Meet 40 More Jersey Greats", The Star-Ledger, September 28, 2003, backed up by the Internet Archive as of September 27, 2008. Accessed September 15, 2017. "George Benson – A longtime resident of Englewood, Benson is a superb jazz guitarist who has found fame as a pop vocalist."
  38. ^ "Past Winners Search". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
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