George Benson
Biography: George Washington Benson (born March 22, 1943) is an American 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, R&B singing, and scat singing. His album Breezin' was certified triple-platinum, hitting no. 1 on the Billboard album chart in 1976. His concerts were well attended through the 1980s, and he still has 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 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 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", with RCA Victor in New York; although one source indicates this record was released under the name "Little Georgie", 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. Benson attended and graduated from Schenley High School. As a youth he 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. At the age of 21, he recorded his first album as leader, The New Boss Guitar, featuring McDuff. Benson's next recording was It's Uptown with the George Benson Quartet, including Lonnie Smith on organ and Ronnie Cuber on baritone saxophone. Benson followed it up with The George Benson Cookbook, also with Lonnie Smith and Ronnie Cuber on baritone and drummer Marion Booker. Miles Davis employed Benson in the mid-1960s, featuring his guitar on "Paraphernalia" on his 1968 Columbia release, Miles in the Sky before Benson went to Verve Records. 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. His 1974 release, Bad Benson, climbed to the top spot in the Billboard jazz chart, while the follow-ups, Good King Bad (#51 Pop album) and Benson & Farrell (with Joe Farrell), both reached the jazz top-three sellers. Benson also did a version of The Beatles's 1969 album Abbey Road called The Other Side of Abbey Road, also released in 1969, and a version of "White Rabbit", originally written and recorded by San Francisco rock group Great Society, and made famous by Jefferson Airplane. Benson played on numerous sessions for other CTI artists during this time, including Freddie Hubbard and Stanley Turrentine, notably on the latter's acclaimed album Sugar. ... Source: Article "George Benson" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: March 22, 1943
Deathday: N/A
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Known For
The People's Command Performance: '77
1977-04-07
The People's Command Performance: '77
Overview: A celebrity lineup selected by a “specially conducted nationwide survey” entertains.
Genres: Music Comedy Documentary TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1977-04-07
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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
1978-07-24
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Overview: A small town band makes it big, but loses track of their roots, as they get caught up into the big-time machinations of the music biz. Now, they must thwart a plot to destroy their home town. Built around the music of The Beatles, this musical uses some big name groups like Peter Frampton and Aerosmith.
Genres: Adventure Music Family Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-07-24
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Cilla Black's Christmas Eve
1983-12-24
Cilla Black's Christmas Eve
Overview: Special featuring Cilla Black and her guests Frankie Howerd, Graham Fletcher, the Bee Gees, Julio Iglesias and George Benson.
Genres: Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1983-12-24
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Better Nate Than Ever
2022-03-15
Better Nate Than Ever
Overview: 13-year-old Nate Foster has big Broadway dreams but there’s only one problem — he can’t even land a part in the school play. When his parents leave town, Nate and his best friend Libby sneak off to the Big Apple for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to prove everyone wrong. A chance encounter with Nate’s long-lost Aunt Heidi turns his journey upside-down, and together they must learn that life’s greatest adventures are only as big as your dreams.
Genres: Music Family Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2022-03-15
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George Benson - Give me the night
2000-01-01
George Benson - Give me the night
Overview: Recorded at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast 2000. Featuring Joe Sample, The BBC Big Band & Members of the Ulster Orchestra Tracks: 1. All Of Me 2. I Only Have Eyes For You 3. Beyond The Sea 4. Deeper Than You Think 5. Hipping The Hop 6. Lately 7. The Ghetto 8. In Your Eyes 9. Moodys Mood 10. Danny Boy 11. This Masquerade 12. Breezin 13. Love x Love 14. Turn Your Love Around 15. Never Give Up On A Good Thing 16. Give Me The Night 17. On Broadway
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2000-01-01
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Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes
2022-10-21
Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes
Overview: The life and career of jazz musician Ron Carter, the most recorded bassist in history, featuring original concert footage and insights from jazz icons.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2022-10-21
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Count Basie At Carnegie Hall
1981-03-20
Count Basie At Carnegie Hall
Overview: Jazz legend Count Basie and His Orchestra performs a concert at New York's Carnegie Hall, with guests Sarah Vaughn, Tony Bennett and George Benson.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-03-20
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A Tribute to Miles Davis
1991-10-16
A Tribute to Miles Davis
Overview: Was filmed in October 16, 1991 at Expo '92. The concert is absolutely amazing! What a beautiful tribute to Miles Davis. • 1. All Star Jam: Opening/Medley • 2. George Benson (geb. 1943): All blues • 3. John McLaughlin (geb. 1942): In a silent way • 4. Larry Coryell (geb. 1943): So what • 5. Paco De Lucia: Concerto de aranjuez • 6. Stanley Clarke (geb. 1951): Tutu • 7. Stanley Clarke / Larry Coryell: School days • 8. Larry Coryell (geb. 1943): Bolero • 9. Paco De Lucia: El Panuelo • 10. John McLaughlin (geb. 1942): Que alegria • 11. John McLaughlin / Paco De Lucia: Zyryab • 12. Rickie Lee Jones / Larry Coryell: Dat dere • 13. George Benson (geb. 1943): Valdez in the country • 14. George Benson (geb. 1943): Being with you • 15. All Star Jam: Eighty one
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1991-10-16
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Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark
2014-05-13
Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark
Overview: Take an in-depth look at the life and talent of the trailblazing musician who conquered racial barriers to leave an indelible mark on the jazz world.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2014-05-13
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George Benson: Live At Montreux 1986
2005-12-02
George Benson: Live At Montreux 1986
Overview: Recorded Live on July 18th, 1986 at "Montreux Casino", during the Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland)
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2005-12-02
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V.A. North Sea Jazz
2009-07-10
V.A. North Sea Jazz
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: it
Release Date: 2009-07-10
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Tokyo Jazz Festival. vol.5
2008-08-30
Tokyo Jazz Festival. vol.5
Overview:
Genres: Music
Original Language: ru
Release Date: 2008-08-30
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George Benson & Al Jarreau: Live at Montreux
2007-12-07
George Benson & Al Jarreau: Live at Montreux
Overview:
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2007-12-07
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Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones
1990-10-05
Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones
Overview: The extraordinary life of Quincy Jones -- one of the 20th century's most influential and talented composers, musicians and music producers -- provides the basis of this offbeat, free-form documentary tribute. With little regard for formal timelines and traditional documentary biography methods, the film is an amazing patchwork of personal insights featuring a constellation of music stars including his long-time friend Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Herbie Hancock, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie and rappers Big Daddy Kane and Flavor Flav, as well as politicians, filmmakers and other important people. Some of the most moving scenes involve Jones returning to his childhood home in Chicago and recounting honest and painful memories from his childhood. Jones does not shy from discussing everything -- from his mother's mental illness, to his marital problems, to his serious health conditions. He also looks frankly at his career.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1990-10-05
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It Must Schwing: The Blue Note Story
2018-07-02
It Must Schwing: The Blue Note Story
Overview: A documentary about the legendary jazz label Blue Note Records and its German founders Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff. As jews they had to flee Germany and the Hitler regime in the late 1930s. In New York they wrote music history with their record label Blue Note Records.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: de
Release Date: 2018-07-02
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Burt Sugarman's The Midnight Special: 1976
2006-06-01
Burt Sugarman's The Midnight Special: 1976
Overview: Live performances from a television music show that aired late night on the NBC-TV network the U.S.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2006-06-01
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Marcus
2015-01-24
Marcus
Overview: Patrick Savey plunges us into Marcus's world, capturing the New York roots of the legendary bass player, following his path like the pebbles of Tom Thumb, as he meets masters of Jazz like Larry Graham, Jaco Pastorius, David Sanborn, Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau and Miles Davis. A fantastic visual and musical journey through the history of this exceptional musician
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2015-01-24
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Jazz Open Stuttgart 2017 - Festival of World Stars and Child Prodigies
2017-10-12
Jazz Open Stuttgart 2017 - Festival of World Stars and Child Prodigies
Overview:
Genres: Music
Original Language: de
Release Date: 2017-10-12
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Quincy Jones & Friends - Live at Jazz Open Stuttgart
2017-10-24
Quincy Jones & Friends - Live at Jazz Open Stuttgart
Overview: Back in 2017, at the Jazzopen Stuttgart Festival, the great Quincy Jones put on a show that elicited many rapturous standing ovations from the capacity crowd. To kick things off, the seventy musicians of the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra and the SWR Big Band step out onto the stage. It is a warm summer’s evening and they play a grand opening medley in the fading light that seamlessly blends classic jazz with Michael Jackson numbers like “Wanna Be Startin Somethin.”
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: de
Release Date: 2017-10-24
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Guitar Legends EXPO '92 at Sevilla - The Fusion Night
1991-10-16
Guitar Legends EXPO '92 at Sevilla - The Fusion Night
Overview: Guitar Legends was a concert held over five nights, from October 15 to October 19, 1991, in Seville, Spain, with the aim of positioning the city as an entertainment destination to draw support for Expo '92 beginning the following April. The event featured 27 top guitarists, including BB King, Brian May, George Benson, Joe Walsh, Keith Richards, Les Paul, Robbie Robertson, Robert Cray, Roger Waters, Albert Collins, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. The vocalists included Rickie Lee Jones, Bob Dylan and Joe Cocker. Five 90-minute shows and a one-hour documentary were broadcast. Forty-five countries showed at least one live show. Later, broadcasters in 105 countries broadcast one or more programmes.
Genres: Music
Original Language: it
Release Date: 1991-10-16
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Talmage Farlow
1981-07-01
Talmage Farlow
Overview: A documentary about the life and career of American jazz guitarist Tal Farlow
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-07-01
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Lynda Carter: Street Life
1982-03-05
Lynda Carter: Street Life
Overview: Lynda Carter stars in her fourth musical TV special with guests George Benson, Tony Orlando, and Frank Stallone.
Genres: Music TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1982-03-05
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George Benson - Absolutely Live
2000-11-27
George Benson - Absolutely Live
Overview: One of music's most magnetic performers, George Benson shines in this live performance. Recorder at Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Ireland this performance highlights the versatility of George Benson. With guest appearances by jazz legend Joe Sample, the BBC Big Band, and musicians from the Ulster Orchestra, George delights his fans with his straight ahead jazz hits, contemporary R&B classics, and fresh interpretations of elegant and timeless standards.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2000-11-27
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The Borgia Stick
1967-02-25
The Borgia Stick
Overview: A suburban couple discovers that they are pawns for a powerful crime syndicate. They try to break away from the cartel and go legitimate, but the syndicate doesn't want to give them up so easily.
Genres: Crime Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1967-02-25
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The Grant Green Story
2017-01-01
The Grant Green Story
Overview: A son's search for his dad - the late jazz guitarist Grant Green. World Premiere at 2016 Harlem International Film Festival. Also shown in Reykjavik, Edinburgh and several U.S. cities.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2017-01-01
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