Happy Birthday George Benson! (March 22, 1943)

byFrankB-1

5.7K followers

Updated 1 month ago

(Title image by DALL-E 3)

Hi WA Friends!

Please help me celebrate the birthday of the incomparable George Benson!

A Little History

George Benson is an exceptionally talented individual with a passion for jazz and R&B. Born on March 22, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, George's affinity for music was evident early on. Initially drawn to the ukulele, he quickly transitioned to the guitar, and by the age of 21, he was already recording his first album as a band leader, "The New Boss Guitar," showcasing a style that seamlessly blended traditional jazz with R&B influences.

George's career took a significant turn when he joined the Brother Jack McDuff Quartet in the early 1960s, a period that honed his skills and broadened his horizons. However, it was his solo work that truly set him apart, especially with the release of "Breezin'" in 1976. This album transformed the landscape of jazz by becoming the first jazz album to attain platinum certification. I remember hearing this album for the first time as a college student, and it blew me away!

Over the years, George's versatility allowed him to traverse various musical landscapes, from hard bop to smooth jazz and even pop crossovers, earning him a distinguished place in the pantheon of guitar legends. His collaborations span a wide array of artists and bands, including Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and the Count Basie Orchestra, showcasing his ability to blend effortlessly into any musical setting while leaving his unique mark.

Most people are familiar with his popular tunes that receive lots of radio and streaming play, like "On Broadway" and "This Masquerade, but did you know that George is also a hardcore Jazz and Bebop guitar player?

An amazing Live Performer!

I've had the good fortune to see George perform live on two occasions, and he stunned me both times with the breath of his genre-spanning repertoire!

His audience consists of musicians and music lovers of all ages, from the teens to people my age and much older.

George is very much the quintessential performer and showman!

Musical Equipment (for WA gearheads like Me! lol)

(Courtesy of Me & ChatGPT)

Guitars

• Ibanez GB Signature model guitars: GB10, GB200, GB15, and GB10EM (known for their rich sound and jazz playing comfort)

Amps

• Polytone Mini-Brute (low-wattage tube amp known for its warm, clean sound)
• Fender Amps: Twin Reverb, Super Reverb, and Hot Rod Deluxe (known for their clean sound and ability to take pedals well)
• Fender GB Hot Rod Deluxe (modified version of the standard Hot Rod Deluxe)

Effects

• Studio compressor, even out the volume fluctuations in picking.
• Overdrive pedal: Ibanez Tube Screamer - Occasionally used for a slight overdrive, enhancing his solos.
• Chorus pedal: Boss Chorus Ensemble: Adds depth and shimmer to Benson's clean tones.

Honors and Awards

(Courtesy of ChatGPT)

• Grammy Awards: Benson holds an impressive ten Grammy Awards. This includes the prestigious Grammy Award for Record of the Year for "This Masquerade" in 1976. He has also won Grammys in various categories like Best Pop Instrumental Performance, Best R&B Instrumental Performance, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
• National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master: This is the highest honor in jazz awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts in the United States. Benson received this recognition in 2009.
• Hollywood Walk of Fame Star: George Benson was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a testament to his enduring contribution to the music industry.
• MOBO Awards Lifetime Achievement Award: The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin) recognized Benson's exceptional career with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.

Discography

(Courtesy of ChatGPT)

Here are the most important recordings, which do not include all compilation and reissue albums.

If you listen to just one album, check out "Breezin!" (1976)

Studio Albums:

• New Boss Agenda (1964) with Jack McDuff
• It's Uptown (1965) with Jack McDuff
• This Is George Benson (1965)
• Benson Burner (1966)
• The George Benson Cookbook (1966)
• Giblet Gravy (1967)
• Shape Your Destiny (1968)
• Tell It Like It Is (1969)
• White Rabbit (1971)
• Beyond the Universe (1971)
• Live in Japan (1971)
• Bad Benson (1974)
• Breezin (1976)
• In Flight (1977)
• Weekend in L.A. (1978)
• Livin' Inside Your Love (1979)
• Give Me the Night (1980)
• The George Benson Collection (1981)
• Inside Out (1983)
• Twenty/Twenty (1984)
• Visions (1985)
• Continuous Fire (1986)
• Tenderness (1989)
• Big G (1990)
• Mood (1992)
• Love & Inspiration (1996)
• Weekend in L.A. (1998) (re-recording)
• Blanchard (2000) with Lauryn Hill
• Irreplaceable (2004)
• Guitar Man (2011)
• Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole (2013)

Live Albums:

• Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon (1968)
• The Other Side of Abbey Road (1970) with Ron Carter
• Live in Concert (1981)
• BBB (Benson, Brecker & Bridges) (1990) with Randy Brecker and Donny McCaslin
• Live at Montreux 1996 (1996)

Tell Me What You Think

Are you familiar with George Benson? What's your favorite tune or album? Are you aware that George is also a great singer?

Happy Birthday, George! 🎂

Make it a point to enjoy some of his music today! AND ...

Keep On Rockin'! 🤘
Frank 🎸

~ 60% Human-written content