George Benson

In the recent history of pop music, there have been few musicians who have successfuly crossed over from the instrumental world of pure jazz to super-stardom as pop artists. Nat King' Cole was an excellent non-singing trio-pianist who became a very successtul singer. There was also Louis Armstrong, one of the truly great jezz trumpeters, who became better known as the singer of 'Hello Dolly' from the show of the same name - and then there is George Benson himself, perhaps the most gifted jazz gutarist since the days of Charlie Christian. But George is really a different case siftce he actually started singing on the streets of Pittsburgh.

Back in the 40's times were very hard lor the Benson family in Pittsburgh, where he grew up. His stepfather made him his first guitar out of cigar boxes and by the time he was 7 he was almost a virtuoso. He was determined to survive and make it big from the very early days. In the mid-siies he started out on his own with a jazz orientated organ group. He was a most technically proficienf guitarist and an original, true ensemble artiste. George has always had a mission in life and unbelievable energy He is a thorough student of the guitar and has designed many instruments which bear his name. He is fascinated by Flamenco music and plays it superbly with a pick He has dazzled the electronic experts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with his versatilty of effects for guitar.

During the early 80's George Benson made the transition from playing jazz orientated music to a more funk disco style. With this change has come popular success and chart records. The reason for this success is the modern style of his songs coupled with brilliant quitar playing and a good singing voior. all of which can be heard on THE GENIUS OF GEORGE BENSON.