George Benson
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George Benson (born March 22, 1943) is an American jazz guitarist, singer and composer.
He was born and raised in the Hill District in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was a professional musician from age 3.
George Benson started out playing straight-ahead instrumental jazz with organist Jack McDuff. Benson got his first experience playing with his several-year stint with McDuff's group. At the age of 21, Benson recorded his first album as leader, The New Boss Guitar, with Brother Jack McDuff on organ.
Benson's next recording was It's Uptown with the George Benson Quartet with Lonnie Smith on organ and Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax. This album showcases Benson's talent in constructing swinging bebop lines at blistering tempos. Benson followed it up with "The George Benson Cookbook," also with Lonnie Smith and Ronnie Cuber.
One of his major hits is the song This Masquerade, which is included in the top-selling album Breezin' . This album represents a shift to more commercially oriented music which brought Benson a wider audience but alienated some jazz fans.
Benson continues to play outstanding jazz guitar, as evidenced on recordings such as Jimmy Smith's Off the Top, Benson's own live album Par Excellence, and Tenderly, on which Benson is accompanied by McCoy Tyner on piano.
For his contribution to the recording industry, George Benson has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7055 Hollywood Blvd.
Samples
- Download sample of "The Masquerade Is Over"
Back in the day George Benson occasionally introduced new and upcoming artists during performances. On one such occasion George Benson introduced a guitarist named John Bowden. John played a black Les Paul. John now goes under the name 2guitarjohn.com. The performance with George Benson was in 1976. It was just prior to George's release "This Masquerade". Drummer Kenwood Denard also sat in on the set.
External links
- http://www.georgebenson.com/
- George Benson Guitar Tabs (http://www.jazzguitar.be/george_benson_licks.html)de:George Benson