George Benson
George Benson: A Legendary Jazz Guitarist and Singer
Full Name and Common Aliases
George Wallace Benson Jr., commonly known as George Benson, is an American jazz guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on October 22, 1946, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, George Benson passed away on September 17, 2021, at the age of 74.
Nationality and Profession(s)
George Benson is an American jazz musician, known for his work as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Pittsburgh's North Side, George Benson was introduced to music by his mother, Garnetta, who played guitar and sang hymns. His father, George Sr., also played the saxophone. At age 12, Benson received a Gibson guitar as a gift from his uncle, which he used to start teaching himself how to play.
Benson's early musical influences included jazz legends such as Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, and Wes Montgomery. He attended Schenley High School, where he formed his first band, The Casuals, with friends. After graduating in 1964, Benson moved to New York City to pursue a career in music.
Major Accomplishments
George Benson's career spans over five decades, during which he has achieved numerous accolades:
10 Grammy Awards as a performer and producer
14 Grammy nominations
Inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame (1986)
Named one of the greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine
Notable Works or Actions
Benson's most notable works include:
"Breezin'" (1976) - his best-selling album, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and won four Grammy Awards
"Give Me the Night" (1980) - Benson's first pop hit single, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
As a guitarist, Benson is known for his smooth, melodic style, which has influenced countless musicians.
Impact and Legacy
George Benson's impact on jazz and popular music cannot be overstated:
He helped bridge the gap between jazz and pop with his fusion sound
His unique guitar playing style has inspired generations of musicians, including Pat Metheny, Sting, and Herbie Hancock
As a singer, Benson's smooth, soulful voice has made him one of the most recognizable voices in jazzWhy They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
George Benson is widely quoted and remembered for his:
Innovative guitar playing style, which blended elements of jazz, blues, and pop
Smooth, soulful singing voice, which added a new dimension to jazz vocals
Boundary-pushing fusion sound, which helped shape the course of modern music
Benson's legacy extends beyond his impressive discography; he has inspired countless musicians and continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time.
Quotes by George Benson
My whole career from the early 70s on has been mind-blowing. I didn’t imagine in my life that I would ever be considered a guitar player first of all because I started off as a singer.
As my career has progressed, I’ve had the pleasure of playing with the baddest jazz cats on the planet. But that doesn’t change my desire to entertain folks. That’s really who I am.
Guitar gigs were everywhere in the ’50s, and I started diddling around so I could keep working. Playing honky-tonk, simple stuff. I took a few gigs with an organ band that put me out front.
People who love jazz musicians love us when we play what we want to play and we’re starving. But as soon as you commercialize your sound like Wes Montgomery did, the jazz fans and the critics are down on you!
The first time I tried to sing along with my guitar, everybody in the studio booed. They all said it wouldn’t work.
The melody is the most important thing that must stay in the minds of the people who listen to you. No matter how many notes you play, you can’t let them forget what the song is.