View source for George Benson

{{short description|American guitarist and singer (born 1943)}}
{{about|the American singer and songwriter|other people}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name              = George Benson
| image             = GeorgeBensonSept2011.jpg
| caption           = Benson in 2011
| birth_name        = George Washington Benson
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|1943|3|22}}
| birth_place       = [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_date        =
| death_place       =
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Jazz]]|[[jazz fusion]]|[[smooth jazz]]|[[soul jazz]]|[[disco]]|[[adult contemporary]]|[[urban contemporary]]|}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Singer|musician|songwriter}}
| instrument        = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar}}
| years_active      = 1964–present<ref name="ReferenceA">Australian ABCTV Flashez interview January 1, 1977.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globaldogproductions.info/g/groove.html |title=45 discography for Groove Records |website=Globaldogproductions.info |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-date=February 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225103120/http://www.globaldogproductions.info/g/groove.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| label             = {{hlist|[[Prestige Records|Prestige]]|[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]|[[Verve Records|Verve]]|[[A&M Records|A&M]]|[[CTI Records|CTI]]|[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]|[[GRP Records|GRP]]|[[Concord Records|Concord]]|[[Mascot Records|Mascot]]}}
| website           = [https://www.georgebenson.com/ georgebenson.com]
}}
{{Infobox awards list
| title        = 
| image        = 
| image_size   = 
| alt          = 
| caption      = 
| wins         = 
| nominations  = 
|AmericanW = 0
|AmericanN = 3
|GrammyW = 10
|GrammyN = 25
|MOBOW = 1
|MOBON = 2
|SoulW = 0
|SoulN = 2
|award1= [[Photoplay|Photoplay Awards]]
|award1W = 1
|award1N = 1
|award2= [[Hollywood Walk of Fame|Walk Of Fame]]
|award2W = 1
|award2N = 1
}}
{{externalvideo
| float = right
| width = 300px
| video1 = [https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/george-benson-0 ''Oral History, George Benson reflects on his friendship with Bob Cavenaugh and the influence it had on his career.'' Interview date January 24, 2015, NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Oral History Library]
|
}}

'''George Washington Benson''' (born March 22, 1943)<ref name=ALLMUSIC>{{cite web|author=Richard S. Ginell |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/george-benson-mn0000201760/biography |title=George Benson: Biography & History |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=May 2, 2017}}</ref> is an American [[jazz fusion]] guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He began his professional career at the age of 19 as a [[jazz]] guitarist.

A former [[child prodigy]], Benson first came to prominence in the 1960s, playing [[soul jazz]] with [[Jack McDuff]] and others. He then launched a successful solo career, alternating between jazz, pop, [[rhythm and blues|R&B]] singing, and [[scat singing]]. His album ''[[Breezin']]'' was certified triple-[[music recording sales certification|platinum]], hitting No. 1 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] album chart in 1976.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book| first= David| last= Roberts| year= 2006| title= British Hit Singles & Albums| edition= 19th| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited| location= London| isbn= 1-904994-10-5| page= 54}}</ref> His concerts were well attended through the 1980s, and he still has a large following.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums" /> Benson has won ten [[Grammy Award]]s and has been honored with a [[List of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame#B|star]] on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].

== Biography ==

=== Early career ===
Benson was born and raised in the [[Hill District]] of [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]].<ref name="christianebird-bio">{{cite book |title=The Da Capo Jazz And Blues Lover's Guide to the U.s. |last=Bird |first=Christiane |year=2001 |publisher=[[Da Capo Press]] |isbn=0-306-81034-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/dacapojazzbluesl0000bird/page/196 196] |access-date=September 8, 2012 |url=https://archive.org/details/dacapojazzbluesl0000bird|url-access=registration |quote=Hill District George Benson. }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Faith, Health, and Healing in African American Life |last1=Mitchem |first1=Stephanie Y. |last2=Townes |first2=Emilie Maureen |year=2008 |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] |isbn=978-0-275-99375-7 |page=111 |access-date=September 8, 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dBVTH6F7iGAC&q=Hill+District+George+Benson&pg=PA111}}</ref> At the age of seven, he first played the [[ukulele]] in a corner drug store, for which he was paid a few dollars. At age eight, he played guitar<ref name="christianebird-bio" /> in an unlicensed nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights, but the police soon closed the club down. At age nine, he started to record. Out of the four sides he cut, two were released: "She Makes Me Mad" backed with "It Should Have Been Me",<ref name="ReferenceA" /> with [[RCA Victor]] in New York. Although one source indicates this record was released under the name "Little Georgie",<ref name="christianebird-bio" /> the 45rpm label is printed with the name George Benson.  The single was produced by [[Leroy Kirkland]] for RCA's rhythm and blues label, [[Groove Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rootsvinylguide.com/ebay_items/r-b-45-george-benson-it-should-have-been-me-2-groove-hear|title=Roots Vinyl Guide|first=Will|last=Sulzer|website=rootsvinylguide.com}}</ref>

Benson attended Connelley Vocational High School on Bedford Avenue in the Hill District. However, he dropped out, choosing to focus on music.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 August 2024 |title=George Benson on the Scene on WZUM |url=https://www.wzum.org/jazz-blog/2024/8/08/wzum-the-scene-h |website=WZUM Jazz Pittsburgh |publisher=Pittsburgh Public Media (the owner of [[WZUM-FM]] and affiliated Pittsburgh-area jazz stations)}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 1987, Benson received an honorary degree from [[Pittsburgh Public Schools]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Seebacher |first1=Noreen |date=30 September 1987 |title=Schools honor dropout George Benson |url=https://www.wzum.org/jazz-blog/2024/8/08/wzum-the-scene-h |access-date=9 August 2024 |work=[[The Pittsburgh Press]] |page=A2 |type=This 1987 ''Pittsburgh Press'' article was scanned into the online blog post of the radio station [[WZUM-FM|WZUM]], which is owned by Pittsburgh Public Media. |format=JPEG}}</ref>

As a youth, Benson learned how to play straight-ahead instrumental jazz during a relationship performing for several years with organist [[Jack McDuff]]. One of his many early guitar heroes was country-jazz guitarist [[Hank Garland]].<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/hank-garland-living-shadow-his-greatness-wbna5396111|title=Hank Garland living in shadow of his greatness|date=July 8, 2004|publisher=[[Today.com]]|access-date=September 12, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Upchurch|first=Frances|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jIUsAAAAIBAJ&pg=5656,4574705&dq=hank+garland+george+benson&hl=en|title=But Hank Sugarfoot Garland Was To Play His Guitar Again|date=December 20, 1978|newspaper=[[Spartanburg Herald-Journal]]|access-date=September 12, 2012}}</ref> 

At the age of 21, he recorded his first album as leader, ''[[The New Boss Guitar of George Benson]]'' (1964), featuring McDuff.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" /> Benson's next recording was ''[[It's Uptown]]'' (1966) with the George Benson Quartet, including [[Lonnie Smith (organist)|Lonnie Smith]] on organ and [[Ronnie Cuber]] on [[baritone saxophone]]. Benson followed it up with ''[[The George Benson Cookbook]]'' (1967), also with Lonnie Smith and Ronnie Cuber on baritone and drummer Marion Booker.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" /> [[Miles Davis]] employed Benson in the mid-1960s, featuring his guitar on "Paraphernalia" on his 1968 [[Columbia Records|Columbia]] release, ''[[Miles in the Sky (album)|Miles in the Sky]]'' before Benson went to [[Verve Records]].

=== 1970s and 1980s ===
[[File:George Benson, New York 1977 - 30.jpg|thumb|George Benson, New York 1977]]
In 1970, Benson released ''[[The Other Side of Abbey Road]]'', featuring renditions of songs from [[the Beatles]]' 1969 album ''[[Abbey Road]]''.
Benson 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. In addition to his own albums and performances, during this time Benson was a core member of the [[CTI All-Stars]] collective both touring and recording.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Story of the CTI All-Stars Live |url=https://www.ctproduced.com/the-story-of-the-cti-all-stars-live/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=Ctproduced.com|date=April 3, 2021 }}</ref> As well as the collective's live albums, he also played and recorded on a number of the collective's members' individual albums, including [[Freddie Hubbard]] and [[Stanley Turrentine]], notably on the latter's acclaimed album ''[[Sugar (Stanley Turrentine album)|Sugar]]'' (1970).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stanley Turrentine Catalog |url=https://www.jazzdisco.org/stanley-turrentine/catalog/#cti-cti-6005 |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=Jazzdisco.org}}</ref> Benson played on Hubbard's 1971 album ''[[First Light (Freddie Hubbard album)|First Light]]'', which won a [[Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group]] at the [[15th Annual Grammy Awards]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Freddie Hubbard Grammy Award and Nominations |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/freddie-hubbard/9099 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=Grammy.com}}</ref> as well as five other Hubbard studio albums.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Freed Hubbard Discography Featuring George Benson as a sideman |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/55745-Freddie-Hubbard?searchParam=George+Benson |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=Discogs.com}}</ref>

Benson released a version of "[[White Rabbit (song)|White Rabbit]]" on the [[White Rabbit (George Benson album)|album of the same name]] in 1972, originally written and recorded by San Francisco rock group [[The Great Society (band)|Great Society]], and made famous by [[Jefferson Airplane]].<ref name="ALLMUSIC" /> His 1974 release, ''[[Bad Benson]]'', climbed to the top spot in the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' jazz chart, while the 1976 follow-ups, ''[[Good King Bad]]'' (No. 51 Pop album) and ''[[Benson & Farrell]]'' (with Joe Farrell), both reached the jazz top-three sellers.

{{Listen
|filename=George Benson - Breezin.ogg
|title=George Benson "Breezin'" (1976)
|description=Title track sample from George Benson's ''Breezin′'' album
|format=[[Ogg]]}}

By the mid-to-late 1970s, as he recorded for [[Warner Bros. Records]], a whole new audience began to discover Benson. On 1976's ''[[Breezin']]'', Benson sang a lead vocal on the track "[[This Masquerade]]", a song written by [[Leon Russell]]. Benson's version (notable also for the lush, romantic piano intro and solo by [[Jorge Dalto]]), became a huge pop hit and won a [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year]].<ref name="LarkinSM">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1993|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-733-9|pages=19/20}}</ref> (He had sung vocals infrequently on albums earlier in his career, notably his rendition of "[[Here Comes the Sun]]" on ''[[The Other Side of Abbey Road]]''.<ref name="LarkinSM" />) The rest of the album is instrumental, including his rendition of the 1975 [[José Feliciano]] composition "[[Affirmation (George Benson song)|Affirmation]]".

In 1976, Benson embarked on a tour called George & Minnie Live! with soul singer [[Minnie Riperton]]; she had recently been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and would die in 1979. In addition, Benson appeared as a guitarist and backup vocalist on [[Stevie Wonder]]'s song "[[Another Star]]" from Wonder's album ''[[Songs in the Key of Life]]'' (1976).

He also recorded the original version of "[[The Greatest Love of All]]" for the 1977 [[Muhammad Ali]] biopic, ''[[The Greatest (1977 film)|The Greatest]]'',<ref name="LarkinSM" /> which was later covered by [[Whitney Houston]] as "Greatest Love of All."<ref name="VH1 – Artists bio" /> During this time Benson recorded with the German conductor [[Claus Ogerman]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bjbear71.com/Ogerman/Claus.html |title=The Work of Claus Ogerman |website=Bjbear71.com |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-date=January 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130203827/http://www.bjbear71.com/Ogerman/Claus.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref> The live take of "[[On Broadway (song)|On Broadway]]," recorded a few months later from the 1978 release ''[[Weekend in L.A.]]'', also won a Grammy.<ref name="LarkinSM" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=1980-04-10 |title=Guitar or Vocals, Benson's on Top by Tom McCarthey, Excellent Jazz Pianist Ramsey Lewis "warmed up" |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salt-lake-tribune-guitar-or-vocals/158166213/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |pages=17}}</ref>

[[File:George benson 1986 montreux 16 3.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Benson in Montreux 1986]]
The Qwest record label (a subsidiary of Warner Bros., run by [[Quincy Jones]]) released Benson's breakthrough pop album ''[[Give Me the Night (album)|Give Me the Night]]'', produced by Jones.<ref name="LarkinSM" /> Benson made it into the pop and R&B top ten with the song "[[Give Me the Night (George Benson song)|Give Me the Night]]" (written by former [[Heatwave (band)|Heatwave]] keyboardist [[Rod Temperton]]). He had many hit singles such as "Love All the Hurt Away", "[[Turn Your Love Around]]", "Inside Love", "[[Lady Love Me (One More Time)|Lady Love Me]]", "20/20", "[[Shiver (George Benson song)|Shiver]]", and "Kisses in the Moonlight".  More importantly, Jones encouraged Benson to search his roots for further vocal inspiration, and he rediscovered his love for [[Nat King Cole]], [[Ray Charles]] and [[Donny Hathaway]] in the process, influencing a string of further vocal albums into the 1990s. Despite returning to his jazz and guitar playing most recently, this theme was reflected again much later in Benson's 2000 release ''[[Absolute Benson]]'', featuring a cover of one of Hathaway's most notable songs, "[[The Ghetto (Donny Hathaway song)|The Ghetto]]". Benson accumulated three other platinum LPs and two gold albums.<ref name="VH1 – Artists bio">{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/benson_george_1/bio.jhtml |title=Digital Videos &#124; Episodes (TV Series) |publisher=VH1 |date=March 14, 2017 |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-date=January 28, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070128234335/http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/benson_george_1/bio.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== 1990s to present ===
In 1990, Benson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the [[Berklee College of Music]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NtVbEzSkFfwC&pg=PA17|title=Interviews With the Jazz Greats...and More!|first=Charles H.|last=Chapman|date=October 7, 2010|publisher=Mel Bay|isbn=978-1-60974-367-3|via=Google Books}}</ref>

To commemorate the long relationship between Benson and [[Ibanez]] and to celebrate 30 years of collaboration on the GB Signature Models, Ibanez created the GB30TH, a limited-edition model with a gold-foil finish inspired by the traditional Japanese Garahaku art form.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibanez.com/Feature/gb30th |title=Ibanez.com |publisher=Ibanez.com |access-date=April 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423172950/http://ibanez.com/Feature/gb30th |archive-date=April 23, 2010 }}</ref>
[[File:Joni Mitchell's 1978 Ibanez GB10NT George Benson Signature (serial no. 0745／ I786634) - Play It Loud. MET (2019-05-13 18-51-45 by Eden, Janine and Jim).jpg|thumb|A 1978 [[Ibanez]] George Benson signature guitar played by [[Joni Mitchell]] from at least 1979 to 1983<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/818255|title=Ibanez &#124; GB10NT George Benson Signature (serial no. 0745/ I786634)|website=The Metropolitan Museum of Art|date=1978 }}</ref>]]
In 2009, Benson was recognized by the [[National Endowment of the Arts]] as a [[NEA Jazz Masters|Jazz Master]], the United States highest honor in jazz.<ref>{{cite web|author=National Endowment for the Arts |url=http://www.nea.gov/national/jazz/jmcms/master.php?id=2009_01 |title=NEA Jazz Masters: George Benson, Vocalist and Solo Instrumentalist (Guitar) |publisher=Nea.gov |date=March 22, 1943 |access-date=April 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529123851/http://www.nea.gov/national/jazz/jmCMS/master.php?id=2009_01 |archive-date=May 29, 2010 }}</ref> Benson performed at the 49th issue of the [[Ohrid Summer Festival]] in [[North Macedonia]] on July 25, 2009, and his tribute show to [[Nat King Cole]], ''An Unforgettable Tribute to Nat King Cole'', as part of the [[Istanbul International Jazz Festival]] in Turkey on July 27. 

In late 2009, Benson finished recording an album entitled ''[[Songs and Stories]]'' with [[Marcus Miller]], producer John Burk,<ref name="georgebenson.com">{{cite web|url=http://georgebenson.com/?page_id=23 |title=Biography |publisher=George Benson |date=August 25, 2009 |access-date=April 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208120548/http://georgebenson.com/?page_id=23 |archive-date=February 8, 2010 }}</ref> and session musicians [[David Paich]] and [[Steve Lukather]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stevelukather.net/News.aspx |title=Stevelukather.net - News |access-date=January 29, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125224836/http://www.stevelukather.net/News.aspx |archive-date=January 25, 2009 }}</ref> As part of the promotion for the album, Benson appeared or performed on ''[[The Tavis Smiley Show]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200910/20091006_benson.html |title=Tavis Smiley . Shows . George Benson . October 6, 2009 |publisher=PBS |date=October 6, 2009 |access-date=April 25, 2010 |archive-date=February 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214160126/http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200910/20091006_benson.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://georgebenson.com/?p=377 |title=Jimmy Kimmel Live Tomorrow Night, Wednesday Sep. 23! |publisher=George Benson |access-date=April 25, 2010 |archive-date=April 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423210319/http://georgebenson.com/?p=377 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mergner |first=Lee |url=http://jazztimes.com/sections/news/articles/25312-george-benson-appearing-with-the-roots-on-late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-show |title=Jazz Articles: George Benson Appearing With The Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Show|work=Jazztimes.com |access-date=April 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314055725/http://jazztimes.com/sections/news/articles/25312-george-benson-appearing-with-the-roots-on-late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-show |archive-date=March 14, 2012 }}</ref>

He performed at the 2011 [[Java Jazz Festival]] during March 4–6. On October 4, Benson released the album ''[[Guitar Man (George Benson album)|Guitar Man]]'', revisiting his 1960s/early-1970s guitar-playing roots with a 12-song collection of covers of both jazz and pop standards produced by John Burk.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/725/guitar_hero/ |title=George Benson: Guitar Hero |website=Bluesandsoul.com |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-date=December 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222093130/http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/725/guitar_hero/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In June 2013, Benson released his fourth album for Concord, ''[[Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole]]'', which included [[Wynton Marsalis]], [[Idina Menzel]], [[Till Brönner]], and [[Judith Hill]]. In September, he returned to perform at [[Rock in Rio]] festival, in Rio de Janeiro, 35 years after his first performance at this festival, which was then the inaugural one.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://g1.globo.com/musica/rock-in-rio/2013/noticia/2013/09/george-benson-e-ivan-lins-levam-risada-mais-gostosa-ao-rock-rio.html |title=G1 – Benson e Ivan Lins levam 'risada mais gostosa' e choro ao Rock in Rio – notícias em Rock in Rio 2013 |website=G1.globo.com |date= September 15, 2013|access-date=May 2, 2017}}</ref>

In July 2016, Benson participated as a mentor in the [[Sky Arts]] programme ''[[Guitar Star]]'' in the search for the UK and [[Republic of Ireland]]'s most talented guitarist.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://corporate.sky.com/media-centre/news-page/2016/tony-visconti,-george-benson-and-milo%C5%A1-confirmed-as-mentors-in-sky-arts%E2%80%99-new-series-of-guitar-star |title=Tony Visconti, George Benson and Miloš confirmed as mentors in Sky Arts' new series of Guitar Star |website=Corporate.sky.com |date=March 8, 2016 |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-date=August 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807171956/https://corporate.sky.com/media-centre/news-page/2016/tony-visconti,-george-benson-and-milo%C5%A1-confirmed-as-mentors-in-sky-arts%E2%80%99-new-series-of-guitar-star |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In May 2018, Benson was featured on the [[Gorillaz]] single "[[Humility (song)|Humility]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/gorillaz-confirm-new-album-the-now-now-share-new-song-humility/ |title=Gorillaz Confirm New Album 'The Now Now,' Share New Song, 'Humility'|first=Alex Robert |last=Ross|date=May 31, 2018|website=vice.com}}</ref>{{Listen
| filename     = George Benson - This Masquerade.ogg
| title        = George Benson – "This Masquerade"
| description  = Sample track from George Benson's ''Breezin' '' album (1976)
| format       = [[Ogg]]
}}

On July 12, 2018, it was announced that Benson had signed to [[Mascot Label Group]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mascot Label Group Celebrates Breakthrough Year |url=https://usa.mascotlabelgroup.com/Mascot-Label-Group-Celebrates-Breakthrough-Year |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712183017/https://usa.mascotlabelgroup.com/Mascot-Label-Group-Celebrates-Breakthrough-Year |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 12, 2018 |website=Mascot Label Group |access-date=July 12, 2018 }}</ref>

Benson stopped touring internationally at the start of 2024 due to ill health, cancelling a series of UK concerts that summer.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/george-benson-cancelled-#:~:text=Unfortunately%2C%20on%20Doctors%20advice%20and,doctors%20to%20stop%20touring%20internationally. | title=George Benson - Cancelled |website=Glasgowlife.org.uk}}</ref>

Benson released a new album, ''Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon'' on July 19, 2024.<ref name="spin2024">{{Cite news |last=Deusner |first=Stephen |date=July 29, 2024 |title=George Benson: Still Breezin' After All These Years |url=https://www.spin.com/2024/07/george-benson-still-breezin-after-all-these-years/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240730134303/https://www.spin.com/2024/07/george-benson-still-breezin-after-all-these-years/ |archive-date=July 30, 2024 |access-date=July 30, 2024 |work=[[Spin_(magazine)|SPIN]]}}</ref><ref name="rhino2024">{{Cite web |date=July 22, 2024 |title=OUT NOW: Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon |url=https://www.rhino.com/article/out-now-dreams-do-come-true-when-george-benson-meets-robert-farnon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240730151237/https://www.rhino.com/article/out-now-dreams-do-come-true-when-george-benson-meets-robert-farnon |archive-date=July 30, 2024 |access-date=July 30, 2024 |website=[[Rhino Entertainment]]}}</ref> The album was an abandoned project based on recordings with arranger and conductor [[Robert Farnon]] backed by the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] from 1989 that were thought to have been lost. Upon location of the masters, Benson played them for his current label, [[Rhino Entertainment]], who encouraged Benson to complete the project.<ref name="spin2024" /> Were the album released when it was recorded it would have predated most of the [[Great_American_Songbook#Revivals|wave]] of [[Great American Songbook]] albums released by popular artists at the end of the 20th century and well into the 21st century. Benson also announced plans for a four-night festival called ''Breezin' with the Stars'' planned for January 2025.<ref name="spin2024" />

== Personal life ==
Benson has been married to Johnnie Lee since 1965 and has seven children. Benson describes his music as focusing more on love and romance, due to his commitment to his family and religious practices, with Benson being a [[Jehovah's Witnesses|Jehovah's Witness]].<ref name=Telegraph>{{cite news|last=Walden|first=Celia|title=George Benson interview: love songs are one of the things in life that last|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/7547659/George-Benson-interview-love-songs-are-one-of-the-things-in-life-that-last.html|website=The Daily Telegraph |date=April 6, 2010|access-date=May 28, 2013}}</ref> Benson has been a resident of [[Englewood, New Jersey]].<ref>Stewart, Zan, [https://web.archive.org/web/20080927062323/http://www.nj.com/greatday/stories/more.html "The State of Jazz: Meet 40 More Jersey Greats"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', September 28, 2003, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of September 27, 2008. Accessed September 15, 2017. "George Benson – A longtime resident of Englewood, Benson is a superb jazz guitarist who has found fame as a pop vocalist."</ref>

== Discography ==
{{Main|George Benson discography}}

== Awards ==

=== Grammy Awards ===
List of [[Grammy Awards]] and nominations received by George Benson.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/george-benson/4099|title=George Benson| publisher=[[The Recording Academy]]|access-date=March 7, 2025}}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
|1973
|[[White Rabbit (George Benson album)|White Rabbit]]
|Best Jazz Performance By A Group
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="5"|1977
|Theme From Good King Bad
|[[Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance|Best R&B Instrumental Performance]]
|{{win}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Breezin']]
|[[Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance|Best Pop Instrumental Performance]]
|{{win}}
|-
|[[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album Of The Year]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[This Masquerade]]
|[[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record Of The Year]]
|{{win}}
|-
|[[Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance|Best Male Pop Vocal Performance]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|1979
|[[On Broadway (song)|On Broadway]]
|[[Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance|Best Male R&B Vocal Performance]]
|{{win}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|1980
|[[Livin' Inside Your Love]]
|[[Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance|Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal or Instrumental]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Love Ballad (L.T.D. song)|Love Ballad]]
|Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
|{{nom}}
|- 
|rowspan="3"|1981
|Moody's Mood
|[[Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album|Best Male Jazz Vocal Performance]]
|{{win}}
|-
|Off Broadway
|Best R&B Instrumental Performance
|{{win}}
|-
|[[Give Me the Night (song)|Give Me the Night]]
|rowspan="2"|Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
|{{win}}
|-
|1983
|[[Turn Your Love Around]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|1984
|Being With You
|Best Pop Instrumental Performance
|{{win}}
|-
|1986
|Beyond The Sea
|Best Male Jazz Vocal Performance
|{{nom}}
|-
|1988
|[[Collaboration (George Benson & Earl Klugh album)|Collaboration]]
|Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal Or Instrumental
|{{nom}}
|-
|1990
|[[Tenderly (George Benson album)|Tenderly]]
|rowspan="2"|Best Male Jazz Vocal Performance
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|1991
|[[Big Boss Band]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|Basie's Bag
|[[Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance|Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|1994
|[[Got to Be There (song)|Got To Be There]]
|rowspan="4"|[[Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance|Best Pop Instrumental Performance]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|1998
|Song For My Brother
|{{nom}}
|-
|2005
|Take You Out
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="3"|2007
|[[Mornin']]
|{{win}}
|-
|God Bless The Child
|[[Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance|Best Traditional R&B Performance]]
|{{win}}
|-
|Breezin'
|[[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals|Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals]]
|{{nom}}
{{end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|George Benson}}
{{Wikiquote}}
*{{allMusic|artist/george-benson-mn0000201760}}
*[https://www.georgebenson.com/ Official website]
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{{George Benson}}
{{Grammy Award for Record of the Year 1970s}}

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