George Benson

Regarded as one of the most refined and elegant guitarists on the world scene, blessed with an extraordinary vocal talent that, together with his “legendary” Ibanez guitar, has forged a truly unique symbiosis, George Benson is a global star with an unassailable reputation. Over his long career, he has ranged from jazz to international hits such as “Give Me The Night”, “Turn Your Love Around”, “On Broadway”, “Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You” and “Song For My Brother”, to name just a few.

George Benson was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1943 and began his career at a very young age: at just 10 years old he recorded his first single, “She Makes Me Mad”, for RCA-Victor in New York under the name “Little George”.

In 1964, at the age of twenty-one, he released his debut solo album, “The New Boss Guitar”, immediately followed by “It's Uptown With The George Benson Quartet” (1966) and “George Benson Cookbook” (1966). During these years Benson was also hired by legendary jazz musician Miles Davis to play guitar on the track “Paraphernalia” for the album “Miles In The Sky” (1968).

From 1970 to 1975 he signed with CTI Records, the jazz label with which he recorded numerous albums, including 1974's “Bad Benson”, which climbed the Billboard Jazz Chart.

After CTI Records, Benson signs with Warner Bros. Records, a move that wins him a whole new audience. His 1976 album “Breezin’” becomes an international pop hit and earns a Grammy for Record of the Year.

In 1980 Benson releases “Give Me The Night”, again for Warner Bros. Records but with Quincy Jones on board as producer. It's his first pop crossover album, earning him numerous Grammys and growing popularity, as he duets with artists of the calibre of Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan and appears at the world's most important jazz festivals.

Up until the mid-Eighties, Benson's success continues with albums such as “In Your Eyes” (1983), whose track “Being With You” wins a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 1984, and “20/20” (1984).

The Nineties and the early 2000s mark his move to the GRP Verve label, with which he releases albums such as “Absolute Benson” (2000), reflecting the American guitarist's wish to return to the style of his roots. In 2006 this intention is confirmed by the making of the album “Givin’ It Up”, recorded with Al Jarreau, and by his 2009 world tour “An Unforgettable Tribute To Nat King Cole”, in which he plays all the most famous songs of this jazz legend. Also in 2009, Benson releases a new album, “Songs And Stories”, produced by Marcus Miller with John Burk as creative director, featuring top-tier musicians such as David Paich and Steve Lukather. That same year, Benson is recognised by the National Endowment of the Arts as a Jazz Master.

In 2013 his latest album “Inspiration – A Tribute To Nat King Cole” is released, in which he revives the spirit of Cole's repertoire, revisiting the songs with Nelson Riddle's arrangements and the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, and enlisting the collaboration of artists such as Idina Menzel and singer Judith Hill, as well as a special collaboration with the great trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and another trumpet ace, Till Brönner.

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