Miles Davis employed Benson in the mid-1960s, featuring his guitar on "Paraphernalia" on his 1968 Columbia release, Miles in the Sky before Benson went to Verve Records.īenson then signed with Creed Taylor's jazz label CTI Records, where he recorded several albums, with jazz heavyweights guesting, to some success, mainly in the jazz field. Benson followed it up with The George Benson Cookbook, also with Lonnie Smith and Ronnie Cuber on baritone and drummer Marion Booker. Benson's next recording was It's Uptown with the George Benson Quartet, including Lonnie Smith on organ and Ronnie Cuber on baritone saxophone. At the age of 21, he recorded his first album as leader, The New Boss Guitar, featuring McDuff.
One of his many early guitar heroes was country-jazz guitarist Hank Garland.
As a youth he learned how to play straight-ahead instrumental jazz during a relationship performing for several years with organist Jack McDuff. Luckily, after he spent time in a juvenile detention centre his stepfather made him a new guitar.īenson attended and graduated from Schenley High School. When this was discovered (tied with the failure of his single) his guitar was impounded. As he has stated in an interview, Benson's introduction to showbusiness had an effect on his schooling. The single was produced by Leroy Kirkland for RCA's rhythm and blues label, Groove Records. Out of the four sides he cut, two were released: "She Makes Me Mad" backed with "It Should Have Been Me", with RCA Victor in New York although one source indicates this record was released under the name "Little Georgie", the 45rpm label is printed with the name George Benson. At the age of nine, he started to record. At the age of eight, he played guitar in an unlicensed nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights, but the police soon closed the club down. At the age of seven, he first played the ukulele in a corner drug store, for which he was paid a few dollars. Biography Early careerīenson was born and raised in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Benson has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His concerts were well attended through the 1980s, and he still has a large following. His album Breezin' was certified triple- platinum, hitting no.
He then launched a successful solo career, alternating between jazz, pop, R&B singing, and scat singing. ContentsĪ former child prodigy, Benson first came to prominence in the 1960s, playing soul jazz with Jack McDuff and others.
He began his professional career at the age of 19 as a jazz guitarist. George Washington Benson (born March 22, 1943) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Interview date January 24, 2015, NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Oral History Library Oral History, George Benson reflects on his friendship with Bob Cavenaugh and the influence it had on his career.