George Benson

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Biography

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA (1964 – present)

George Benson is a jazz guitarist born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on 22 March 1943. He 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. In 1964, 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. Other singles that have made the Billboard Hot 100 charts include “On Broadway” (1978), “Love Ballad” (1979), “Give Me The Night” (1980) and “Turn Your Love Around” (1982).

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.
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  • Realness97

    Hi GB fans. quick ? does anyone have specifics on an early album issued on the CTI label with a track 10+ mins in duration ... I have been forced to relinquish my vinyl collection so cant remember the specific name for the track but 'Octane' floats up and the album name might be Space? any help is much appreciated

    17 Feb 8:49am Reply

  • EmmettNorthJr

    George has been my mentor for years and he's still the boss on guitar!!!

    25 Sep 2012 Reply

  • Zoitz

    the summer of 42 (music) *the song , I don't know anything about that summer . ;\

    6 Aug 2012 Reply

  • ewik555

    The Ghetto <3

    2 Jul 2012 Reply

  • SC_Olimpiysky

    Can't wait big show in Moscow! See you on 20 of July in Olimpiyskiy! http://www.facebook.com/Olimpiysky

    9 Jun 2012 Reply

  • TheJazzCafe

    George Benson has been one of my favorite artists from way back. Never missed getting all his LP's & CD's.

    17 May 2012 Reply

  • SoulJazzsterInc

    My ultimate idol. Happy Birthday George

    21 Mar 2012 Reply

  • Pelazgi

    Mislim šta reći !

    11 Feb 2012 Reply

  • juanagustinrodr

    excelente estoy aprendiendo mucho de esto. que viva el jazz y la vida mesma.

    4 Dec 2011 Reply

  • MASSYveATTACK

    si dadi fatta sa mossamedeo?

    27 Oct 2011 Reply

  • q88b

    охуевший гражданин [2]

    26 Oct 2011 Reply

  • SoulJazzsterInc

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    19 Oct 2011 Reply

  • blaztik

    smooth jams all the night...

    18 Oct 2011 Reply

  • blaztik

    George your the best man

    18 Oct 2011 Reply

  • Splif4d

    охуевший гражданин

    9 Oct 2011 Reply

  • chrischung1900

    is a maestro of maestro.

    26 Sep 2011 Reply

  • god_day

    i really like the cookbook album. really organic and has a little bit of everything in it.

    26 Aug 2011 Reply

  • Parisblues

    There's a large choice of pictures without doing smoking or tabacco incitation. please vote.

    21 Aug 2011 Reply

  • ShiningStar911

    Give Me The Night ❤

    29 Jun 2011 Reply

  • MaryAleksashina

    I took a tremendous liking to Benson

    28 Jun 2011 Reply
    • All 140 shouts

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