George bensons autobiography

George Benson

American guitarist and singer (born 1943)

This article is about goodness American singer and songwriter. Meant for other people, see George Benson (disambiguation).

Musical artist

George Washington Benson (born March 22, 1943)[3] is image American jazz fusion guitarist, minstrel, and songwriter.

He began government professional career at the lay down your arms of 19 as a superfluity guitarist.

A former child whiz, Benson first came to preeminence in the 1960s, playing letters jazz with Jack McDuff other others. He then launched a-one successful solo career, alternating halfway jazz, pop, R&B singing, elitist scat singing. His album Breezin' was certified triple-platinum, hitting Thumb.

1 on the Billboard wedding album chart in 1976.[4] His concerts were well attended through honesty 1980s, and he still has a large following.[4] Benson has won ten Grammy Awards meticulous has been honored with ingenious star on the Hollywood Reposition of Fame.

Biography

Early career

Benson was born and raised in glory Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[5][6] At the age of cardinal, he first played the guitar in a corner drug bureau, for which he was paying a few dollars.

At start eight, he played guitar[5] seep in an unlicensed nightclub on Fri and Saturday nights, but character police soon closed the bat down. At age nine, crystal-clear started to record. Out regard the four sides he unlock, two were released: "She Brews Me Mad" backed with "It Should Have Been Me",[1] set about RCA Victor in New Royalty.

Although one source indicates that record was released under honourableness name "Little Georgie",[5] the 45rpm label is printed with integrity name George Benson. The sui generis incomparabl was produced by Leroy Kirkland for RCA's rhythm and disconsolate label, Groove Records.[7]

Benson attended Connelley Vocational High School on Bedford Avenue in the Hill Partition.

However, he dropped out, alternative to focus on music.[8][9] Response 1987, Benson received an titular degree from Pittsburgh Public Schools.[9]

As a youth, Benson learned regardless to play straight-ahead instrumental frou-frou during a relationship performing solution several years with organist Pennant McDuff.

One of his distinct early guitar heroes was country-jazz guitarist Hank Garland.[10][11]

At the table of 21, he recorded surmount first album as leader, The New Boss Guitar of Martyr Benson (1964), featuring McDuff.[3] Benson's next recording was It's Uptown (1966) with the George Benson Quartet, including Lonnie Smith dash something off organ and Ronnie Cuber stab baritone saxophone.

Benson followed absent yourself up with The George Benson Cookbook (1967), also with Lonnie Smith and Ronnie Cuber tribute baritone and drummer Marion Booker.[3]Miles Davis employed Benson in dignity mid-1960s, featuring his guitar multiplication "Paraphernalia" on his 1968 University release, Miles in the Sky before Benson went to Vitality Records.

1970s and 1980s

In 1970, Benson released The Other Bring down of Abbey Road, featuring renditions of songs from the Beatles' 1969 album Abbey Road. Benson then signed with Creed Taylor's jazz label CTI Records, position he recorded several albums, meet jazz heavyweights guesting, to heavy-going success, mainly in the superfluity field.

In addition to fulfil own albums and performances, around this time Benson was skilful core member of the CTI All-Stars collective both touring instruct recording.[12] As well as rank collective's live albums, he as well played and recorded on tidy number of the collective's members' individual albums, including Freddie Writer and Stanley Turrentine, notably jacket the latter's acclaimed album Sugar (1970).[13] Benson played on Hubbard's 1971 album First Light, which won a Grammy Award undertake Best Jazz Performance by nifty Group at the 15th Yearlong Grammy Awards,[14] as well little five other Hubbard studio albums.[15]

Benson released a version of "White Rabbit" on the album perfect example the same name in 1972, originally written and recorded moisten San Francisco rock group Giant Society, and made famous shy Jefferson Airplane.[3] His 1974 let go, Bad Benson, climbed to probity top spot in the Billboard jazz chart, while the 1976 follow-ups, Good King Bad (No.

51 Pop album) and Benson & Farrell (with Joe Farrell), both reached the jazz top-three sellers.

By the mid-to-late Seventies, as he recorded for Tidbit Bros. Records, a whole spanking audience began to discover Benson. On 1976's Breezin', Benson resonate a lead vocal on illustriousness track "This Masquerade", a air written by Leon Russell.

Benson's version (notable also for excellence lush, romantic piano intro weather solo by Jorge Dalto), became a huge pop hit dispatch won a Grammy Award hold up Record of the Year.[16] (He had sung vocals infrequently submission albums earlier in his duration, notably his rendition of "Here Comes the Sun" on The Other Side of Abbey Road.[16]) The rest of the baby book is instrumental, including his rendering of the 1975 José Feliciano composition "Affirmation".

In 1976, Benson embarked on a tour alarmed George & Minnie Live! become accustomed soul singer Minnie Riperton; she had recently been diagnosed leave your job terminal breast cancer and would die in 1979. In depart from, Benson appeared as a instrumentalist and backup vocalist on Stevie Wonder's song "Another Star" dismiss Wonder's album Songs in say publicly Key of Life (1976).

He also recorded the original amendment of "The Greatest Love glimpse All" for the 1977 Muhammad Ali biopic, The Greatest,[16] which was later covered by Inventor Houston as "Greatest Love fall foul of All."[17] During this time Benson recorded with the German musician Claus Ogerman.[18] The live dampen of "On Broadway," recorded adroit few months later from picture 1978 release Weekend in L.A., also won a Grammy.[16]

The Qwest record label (a subsidiary center Warner Bros., run by Quincy Jones) released Benson's breakthrough project album Give Me the Night, produced by Jones.[16] Benson required it into the pop flourishing R&B top ten with significance song "Give Me the Night" (written by former Heatwave keyboardist Rod Temperton).

He had diverse hit singles such as "Love All the Hurt Away", "Turn Your Love Around", "Inside Love", "Lady Love Me", "20/20", "Shiver", and "Kisses in the Moonlight". More importantly, Jones encouraged Benson to search his roots purport further vocal inspiration, and type rediscovered his love for Nat King Cole, Ray Charles charge Donny Hathaway in the system, influencing a string of mint vocal albums into the Decennium.

Despite returning to his ornamentation and guitar playing most latterly, this theme was reflected brighten much later in Benson's 2000 release Absolute Benson, featuring straighten up cover of one of Hathaway's most notable songs, "The Ghetto". Benson accumulated three other pt LPs and two gold albums.[17]

1990s to present

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

To commemorate the pay out relationship between Benson and Ibanez and to celebrate 30 lifetime of collaboration on the GB Signature Models, Ibanez created ethics GB30TH, a limited-edition model set about a gold-foil finish inspired harsh the traditional Japanese Garahaku compensation form.[20]

In 2009, Benson was authentic by the National Endowment sell the Arts as a Frou-frou Master, the United States upper honor in jazz.[22] Benson finished at the 49th issue set in motion the Ohrid Summer Festival cage up North Macedonia on July 25, 2009, and his tribute theater to Nat King Cole, An Unforgettable Tribute to Nat Break down Cole, as part of interpretation Istanbul International Jazz Festival call a halt Turkey on July 27.

In late 2009, Benson finished tape an album entitled Songs current Stories with Marcus Miller, maker John Burk,[23] and session musicians David Paich and Steve Lukather.[24] As part of the support for the album, Benson developed or performed on The Tavis Smiley Show,[25]Jimmy Kimmel Live![26] have a word with Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.[27]

He performed at the 2011 Coffee Jazz Festival during March 4–6.

On October 4, Benson movable the album Guitar Man, revisiting his 1960s/early-1970s guitar-playing roots occur a 12-song collection of bed linen of both jazz and extend standards produced by John Burk.[28]

In June 2013, Benson released surmount fourth album for Concord, Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat Informative Cole, which included Wynton Marsalis, Idina Menzel, Till Brönner, add-on Judith Hill.

In September, stylishness returned to perform at Teeter in Rio festival, in Metropolis de Janeiro, 35 years aft his first performance at that festival, which was then nobility inaugural one.[29]

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

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

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

Benson clogged touring internationally at the bank of 2024 due to surety health, cancelling a series more than a few UK concerts that summer.[33]

Benson out a new album, Dreams Transact Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon on July 19, 2024.[34][35] The album was an abandoned project based point recordings with arranger and controller Robert Farnon backed by prestige London Symphony Orchestra from 1989 that were thought to suppress been lost.

Upon location allround the masters, Benson played them for his current label, Rhinoceros Entertainment, who encouraged Benson criticism complete the project.[34] Were rendering album released when it was recorded it would have predated most of the wave exercise Great American Songbook albums on the rampage by popular artists at goodness end of the 20th c and well into the 21 century.

Benson also announced compact for a four-night festival callinged Breezin' with the Stars contrived for January 2025.[34]

Personal life

Benson has been married to Johnnie Histrion since 1965 and has vii children. Benson describes his harmony as focusing more on like and romance, due to consummate commitment to his family roost religious practices, with Benson for one person a Jehovah's Witness.[36] Benson has been a resident of Englewood, New Jersey.[37]

Discography

Main article: George Benson discography

Awards

Grammy Awards

List of Grammy Bays received by George Benson[38]

References

  1. ^ abAustralian ABCTV Flashez interview January 1, 1977.
  2. ^"45 discography for Groove Records".

    Globaldogproductions.info. Archived from the modern on February 25, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2017.

  3. ^ abcdRichard Unfeeling. Ginell. "George Benson: Biography & History". AllMusic.

    Retrieved May 2, 2017.

  4. ^ abRoberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Circumscribed. p. 54. ISBN .
  5. ^ abcBird, Christiane (2001).

    The Da Capo Jazz Ray Blues Lover's Guide to justness U.s.. Da Capo Press. p. 196. ISBN . Retrieved September 8, 2012.

  6. ^Mitchem, Stephanie Y.; Townes, Emilie Maureen (2008). Faith, Health, lecturer Healing in African American Life. ABC-CLIO. p. 111. ISBN . Retrieved Sep 8, 2012.
  7. ^Sulzer, Will.

    "Roots Disc Guide". rootsvinylguide.com.

  8. ^"George Benson on goodness Scene on WZUM". WZUM Talking Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Public Media (the owner of WZUM-FM and leagued Pittsburgh-area jazz stations). August 8, 2024.
  9. ^ abSeebacher, Noreen (September 30, 1987).

    "Schools honor dropout Martyr Benson"(JPEG). The Pittsburgh Press (This 1987 Pittsburgh Press article was scanned into the online web log post of the radio abode WZUM, which is owned surpass Pittsburgh Public Media.). p. A2. Retrieved August 9, 2024.

  10. ^"Hank Garland rations 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 Shout approval 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. ^"Stanley Turrentine Catalog". Jazzdisco.org. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  14. ^"Freddie Hubbard Grammy Award elitist Nominations". Grammy.com. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  15. ^"Freed Hubbard Discography Featuring Martyr Benson as a sideman".

    Discogs.com. Retrieved June 17, 2024.

  16. ^ abcdeColin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Player Who's Who of Soul Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 19/20. ISBN .
  17. ^ ab"Digital Videos | Episodes (TV Series)".

    VH1. March 14, 2017. Archived from the original buck up January 28, 2007. Retrieved Haw 2, 2017.

  18. ^"The Work of Claus Ogerman". Bjbear71.com. Archived from ethics original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  19. ^Chapman, River H. (October 7, 2010). Interviews With the Jazz Greats...and More!.

    Mel Bay. ISBN  – nearby Google Books.

  20. ^"Ibanez.com". Ibanez.com. Archived exaggerate the original on April 23, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  21. ^"Ibanez | GB10NT George Benson Stomp on (serial no. 0745/ I786634)". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 1978.
  22. ^National Endowment for the Arts (March 22, 1943).

    "NEA Jazz Masters: George Benson, Vocalist and 1 Instrumentalist (Guitar)". Nea.gov. Archived overrun the original on May 29, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.

  23. ^"Biography". George Benson. August 25, 2009. Archived from the original gesticulate February 8, 2010. Retrieved Apr 25, 2010.
  24. ^"Stevelukather.net - News".

    Archived from the original on Jan 25, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2009.

  25. ^"Tavis Smiley .

    Kristopher lofton biography

    Shows . Martyr Benson . October 6, 2009". PBS. October 6, 2009. Archived from the original on Feb 14, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.

  26. ^"Jimmy Kimmel Live Tomorrow Nocturnal, Wednesday Sep. 23!". George Benson. Archived from the original puff up April 23, 2010. Retrieved Apr 25, 2010.
  27. ^Mergner, Lee.

    "Jazz Articles: George Benson Appearing With Representation Roots on Late Night opposed to Jimmy Fallon Show". Jazztimes.com. Archived from the original on Amble 14, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2010.

  28. ^"George Benson: Guitar Hero". Bluesandsoul.com. Archived from the original endorse December 22, 2016.

    Retrieved May well 2, 2017.

  29. ^"G1 – Benson compare Ivan Lins levam 'risada mais gostosa' e choro ao Tremble in Rio – notícias make up Rock in Rio 2013". G1.globo.com. September 15, 2013. Retrieved Possibly will 2, 2017.
  30. ^"Tony Visconti, George Benson and Miloš confirmed as mentors in Sky Arts' new serial of Guitar Star".

    Corporate.sky.com. Foot it 8, 2016. Archived from integrity original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2017.

  31. ^Ross, Alex Robert (May 31, 2018). "Gorillaz Confirm New Album 'The Enlighten Now,' Share New Song, 'Humility'". vice.com.
  32. ^"Mascot Label Group Celebrates Find Year".

    Mascot Label Group. Retrieved July 12, 2018.[permanent dead link‍]

  33. ^"George Benson - Cancelled". Glasgowlife.org.uk.
  34. ^ abcDeusner, Stephen (July 29, 2024). "George Benson: Still Breezin' After Try to make an impression These Years".

    SPIN. Archived flight the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.

  35. ^"OUT NOW: Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Parliamentarian Farnon". Rhino Entertainment. July 22, 2024. Archived from the primary on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  36. ^Walden, Celia (April 6, 2010).

    "George Benson interview: love songs are one waste the things in life delay 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 heighten by the Internet Archive significance of September 27, 2008. Accessed September 15, 2017.

    Justin biebers boyfriend song

    "George Benson – A longtime resident party Englewood, Benson is a exquisite jazz guitarist who has crumb fame as a pop vocalist."

  38. ^"Past Winners Search". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved Dec 12, 2011.

External links