George Benson is a legendary jazz fusion guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose six-decade career has redefined the boundaries of jazz, pop, R&B, and soul. With his virtuosic guitar skills and smooth vocals, he has produced iconic hits like "This Masquerade" and "On Broadway," earning ten Grammy Awards and a lasting legacy in the music industry.
George Washington Benson, born on March 22, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is an iconic American jazz fusion guitarist, singer, and songwriter. With a career that spans over six decades, Benson has been a dynamic and influential force in the music industry, bridging genres like jazz, pop, R&B, and soul with his virtuosic guitar skills and smooth vocals.
Raised in the vibrant music scene of Pittsburgh's Hill District, Benson showcased his musical talents from a young age. He first picked up a ukulele at just seven years old and soon after, started playing guitar in unlicensed nightclubs by the age of eight. His precocious talent led him to record his first single "She Makes Me Mad" at nine years old with RCA Victor. Although he attended Connelley Vocational High School, Benson eventually left school to pursue a career in music full-time. In an acknowledgment of his contributions to the field, in 1987, he received an honorary degree from Pittsburgh Public Schools.
At the young age of 19, Benson began cementing his reputation as a professional jazz guitarist, frequently collaborating with the esteemed organist Jack McDuff. By the time he was 21, Benson had recorded his first album as a leader, titled "The New Boss Guitar". Soon, he signed with Columbia Records, producing albums with his quartet and gracing projects by legends like Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard.
The 1970s marked a period of significant transition for Benson as he shifted towards pop and R&B. Signing with CTI Records, his collaboration with producer Creed Taylor led to his landmark 1976 album, "Breezin'", released under Warner Bros. Records. Not only did the album top the Billboard 200 chart, but it also became the first jazz album to achieve platinum status. His song "This Masquerade" won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year, solidifying Benson's stardom in the broader music arena.
Throughout his illustrious career, Benson has garnered an impressive array of accolades:
Benson's extensive discography includes:
His chart-topping albums across Jazz, R&B, and Pop genres include:
Some of Benson's seminal songs that have left an indelible mark on music history include:
Renowned for his exceptional jazz guitar skills and unique scat singing, Benson was heavily influenced by guitarists like Hank Garland and Wes Montgomery. His eclectic style transcends traditional jazz, incorporating elements of pop, R&B, and soul.
Benson married Johnnie Lee in 1965, and together they have six sons: Robert, Marcus, Christopher, Stephen, George Jr, and Johnnie Jr. He also had a son, Keith Givens, from a previous marriage, who passed away in 1991.
Benson continues to create and perform music, maintaining his relevance and reverence in the industry.
George Benson's legacy is one of artistic innovation and musical excellence, as he ceaselessly bridges the gap between jazz and mainstream music with unparalleled expertise.
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