George Benson - Legendary Jazz Guitar Music Virtuoso - Part 3

Jazz guitarist George Benson stayed with the CTI Record label for six years, recording an album every year. His jazz guitar music album "White Rabbit" from 1972 was nominated for a Grammy and Benson was accorded the honor of playing on Miles Davis's "Miles In The Sky" album. The jazz trumpet master offered him a spot in his band which included at that time Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter and Tony Williams. Benson turned it down as he was satisfied with the money he was making with CTI Records, but he was also starting to chafe under Creed Taylor's creative restraints. When his contract with CTI was up for renewal in 1976, he signed with Warner Brothers Records.


The major labels were starting to acknowledge the wider acceptance of jazz guitar music that was growing out of fusion and the popularity of jazz guitarists like Wes Montgomery and Geroge Benson. With a sympathetic producer like Tony LiPuma, Benson had much more input that he had at CTI and promptly took advantage of it by bringing in his friend Phil Upchurch to play rhythm guitar. LiPuma, in what can only be described as a stroke of genius, encouraged Benson to sing again and suggested "This Masquerade" by Leon Russell as his choice. The George Benson album "Breezin" came out in 1976 and scored in the Top Ten pop charts based almost solely on that vocal number. It went platinum, selling millions of copies and received three Grammys. His next album "In Flight" from 1977 followed suit in sales and awards. The formula of jazz, pop, and R&B with Benson's suave, satiny vocals and nimble fingers proved a huge success all the way through to 1980's "Just Give Me The Night" produced by Quincy Jones.

The eighties saw continued commercial success as Benson replayed the formula begun in the late seventies. Unfortunately, his jazz guitar playing was becoming featured less and less and his long term, hardcore jazz guitar fans felt neglected. Beginning with "Tenderly", a fine album of standards recorded in 1989 and the "Big Boss Band" recorded with the Count Basie Band, he got back on track with his instrument. Throughout, George Benson has balanced all the elements of his talent into a commercially and critically successful phase of his long and productive career. Smoky, low down blues, bop classics, and modern pop all mix together for a comprehensive overview of this brilliant guitarist's contribution to the magical language of jazz. Fortunately for aspiring jazz guitarists, George Benson has released several jazz guitar tab books that feature many of his recorded solos as well as instructional DVDs where he teaches his jazz guitar techniques and harmonic concepts.