In late 1975, Benson signed with Warner Brothers, yet another label change that would pave the way for his breakthrough into the mass market. The A&M and CTI albums made Benson a guitar star in the jazz world, but the vocal tracks he cut on the albums reawakened his interest in singing, and this emphasis on vocals would prove to be a vital part of his later successes. Shortly after the death of Montgomery in June 1968, Taylor began recording Benson with various large ensembles on A&M from 1968-1969 and big groups and all-star combos on the CTI label from 1971-1976. Benson was influenced by jazz producer Creed Taylor, who had worked with Montgomery, one of Benson's mentors. He landed first with Verve in 1967, recording three albums, and then with A&M in 1968, which included a version of The Beatles' 1969 album Abbey Road called The Other Side of Abbey Road, released in 1969. Davis employed Benson for his services for his 1967 Columbia release, Miles in the Sky, with Benson playing guitar on the song "Paraphernalia." However, Benson was searching for wider public recognition, switching labels several times. While working on albums with Hammond, Benson also found time to do side projects, one of which was working with Miles Davis in the mid-1960s. Benson then followed up his first two albums with The GeorgeBenson Cookbook in 1966, also featuring Lonnie Smith and Ronnie Cuber. This garnered the young guitarist plenty of positive attention in the jazz community. This album, along with his second album, Benson Burner, were produced by Hammond and were in the main bop-influenced vein of the jazz of the time. His first album, It's Uptown, featured Lonnie Smith on organ and Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax. In 1965, Hammond signed Benson to Columbia, for which he would record three albums. He was impressed with Benson's growing list of sideman credits, which included work with such artists as Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard and Miles Davis. Hammond was a talent scout who made Benson one of his major discoveries in 1965.
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Montgomery would prove to be Benson's most important inspiration in the style of playing that he would develop. It was Montgomery, one of jazz's most creative guitar players, who came across Benson early, complimenting and encouraging the young guitarist to continue his already impressive work.
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While in New York, Benson formed his own band and met two acquaintances that would become major influences in his path to stardom: guitarist Wes Montgomery and Columbia Records producer and executive John Hammond. They would have seven children together, all of them sons. It was during this early period of his career that Benson would meet his wife of over 40 years, Johnnie, whom he married in 1965. After playing and recording with McDuff for four years, Benson set out on his own and moved to New York City, which was then the jazz capital of the world. He recorded his debut album in 1964, The New Boss Guitar, with McDuff on organ. In the early 1960s, Benson apprenticed with organist "Brother" Jack McDuff, and by the age of 21, recorded his first album as leader. His interest in jazz came from exposure to records of artists such as guitarists Charlie Christian, Grant Green and Wes Montgomery, and saxophonist Charlie Parker.īenson began his career working as a guitarist and singer, performing with a succession of rhythm-and-blues and rock bands in the corner pubs of his native Pittsburgh. By his late teens, Benson began to concentrate exclusively on the guitar and formed his own rock band at 17. After recording four sides for RCA Victor's X Records subsidiary in the mid-1950s, his stepfather wanted him to concentrate on developing his instrumental talent and constructed a guitar for him. Benson showed his talent from an early age, winning a singing contest when he was only four years old and enjoying a short career as a child radio performer under the name of "Little Georgie Benson." He started out professionally as a singer, performing in nightclubs at the age of eight and also learned to dance and play the ukulele at this time.
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He was raised in Pittsburgh's Hill District and attended the now defunct Connelley High School before dropping out. George Benson was born on March 22, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.