George Benson was born on March 22, 1943 and is still alive and performing today. He was born in the Hill District in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When Benson was only seven he played ukulele at a corner drug store for some money. When he was eight, Benson played guitar in a nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights. By ten Benson recorded his first single record. This was called “She Makes Me Mad.” Benson went to SchenleyHigh School, but left before he graduated. After that he learned how to play straight-ahead instrumental jazz. He played with Jack McDuff a few times a well. At age twenty one Benson had recorded his first album, “The New Boss Guitar,” featuring McDuff.
Following “The New Boss Guitar” came “It's Uptown” with the George Benson Quartet. And following that came “The George Benson Cookbook,” with the same people. Benson also played guitar for Miles Davis in “Paraphernalia,” before switiching over to Verve Records. Following the switch to Verve, Benson signed with Creed Taylor's jazz label, where he recorded many albums. “Bad Benson” was released in 1974 and made its way to the number one spot on the Billboard jazz chart. Other big titles of Benson also made it to the top three, for example “Good King Bad” and "Benson and Farrell" both reached top three. George also did a remix of one of The Beatles’ 1969 albums. Benson did other remakes as well. He played on many sessions for other artists (on the same label) during this time as well. Some of these artists include: Freddie Hubbard and Stanley Turrentine .
Fun Facts:
The nightclub Benson played at was closed down by police
The George Benson Quartet included Dr. Lonnie Smith on organ, Ronnie Cuber on sax and Marion Booker as a drummer