George Washington Benson (born March 22, 1943) is an American jazz fusion guitarist, singer and songwriter. He began his professional career at age 19 as a jazz guitarist. A former child prodigy, Benson first gained recognition in the 1960s, performing soul‑jazz with Jack McDuff and others. He later launched a successful solo career, moving between jazz, pop, R&B vocals and scat singing. His album Breezin’ was certified triple‑platinum and reached No. 1 on the Billboard album chart in 1976. His concerts remained well attended throughout the 1980s, and he continues to have a large following. Benson has won ten Grammy Awards and has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Benson was born and raised in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At age seven, he first played the ukulele in a corner drugstore, earning a few dollars. At eight, he played guitar in an unlicensed nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights, until the club was shut down by police. At age nine, he began recording. Of the four sides he cut, two were released — “She Makes Me Mad” backed with “It Should Have Been Me” — on RCA Victor in New York. Although one source claims the record was issued under the name Little Georgie, the 45 rpm label shows the name George Benson. The single was produced by Leroy Kirkland for RCA’s R&B imprint Groove Records. Benson attended Connelley Vocational High School on Bedford Avenue in the Hill District, but left school to focus on music. In 1987, he received an honorary degree from Pittsburgh Public Schools.
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You Are The Love Of My Life
Never Give Up On A Good Thing
Kisses in the Moonlight
Give Me The Night
Breezin’
Affirmation live at North Sea Jazz 2008
Lady Love Me
Nothing’s gonna change my love for you
So What
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