Jordg Benson Jazz guitarist Date of Birth: 22.03.1943 Country: USA

Biography of George Benson

George Benson is an American jazz guitarist and vocalist, widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in the history of jazz. He has played a wide range of styles, from swing and bebop to jazz-rock and smooth jazz, occasionally venturing into rhythm and blues and pop music. Unlike Nat "King" Cole, Benson's guitar always remained prominent in his music, striking a balance between vocals and instrumental pieces.

Benson's career can be divided into several periods. The first began with his debut as part of Hammond organist "Brother" Jack McDuff's combo, where he explored soul and funk jazz. In 1965-1966, he released his first solo albums on Columbia Records. In 1967, he began working for the legendary jazz label Verve, where he recorded two highly funky albums, including a version of the standard "Sunny." In 1968, he released the album "Blue Benson" on Polydor, featuring pianist Herbie Hancock, which expanded his stylistic range. He also appeared on Miles Davis' album "Miles in the Sky," which marked the beginning of a new style.

After the death of leading jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery in 1968, Benson was invited by producer Creed Taylor to A&M Records, where he was groomed into a new jazz star. The recipe for success on his three A&M albums included arrangements by Don Sebesky, borrowed from Montgomery's later works, a selection of proven pop hits, and high-caliber sidemen such as Joe Farrell and Bob James. The balance between vocals and guitar was carefully maintained, as Benson often used them simultaneously in both songs and improvisations. Particularly notable is the album "The Other Side of Abbey Road," released in 1969, which fuses soul jazz and rock music, making it a groundbreaking work in the jazz-rock genre.

In the 1970s, Benson recorded a series of excellent albums on the CTI and A&M labels. These albums featured musicians such as Don Sebesky, Joe Farrell, Eric Gale, Earl Klugh, Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, Billy Cobham, Herbie Hancock, Hubert Laws, Steve Gadd, David Sanborn, and the Brecker Brothers. It is worth noting that Benson's vocals are almost absent on these records. He also participated in recordings by Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, and Don Sebesky for CTI.

In 1976, Benson left Taylor and signed with Warner Bros. Records, where he released the album "Breezin'" produced by Claus Ogerman and Tommy LiPuma. It became the best-selling jazz album of all time. The hit song "This Masquerade" won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year, and the album itself won in the Best Pop Instrumental category. Although not strictly jazz or jazz-rock, the album can be classified as smooth jazz, with the song "This Masquerade" featuring an extended guitar improvisation, which defied conventional show business norms.

Benson continued his successful career with Warner Bros., releasing several more albums, including "Give Me the Night," "20/20," "While the City Sleeps," and "Tenderly." In the 1990s, he collaborated with the contemporary smooth jazz label GRP, releasing three albums: "That's Right," "Standing Together," and "Absolute Benson." These albums marked a shift towards smooth jazz, reminiscent of his early 70s works.

Throughout his career, Benson has showcased his versatility and mastery of various genres. He has been recognized with numerous awards, including multiple Grammy Awards. His contributions to jazz, pop, and smooth jazz have solidified his place as a musical icon.