Gary Burton
George Benson – The Most Amazing Jazz Music Guitar Performer Ever – Part 1
Jazz guitar performer George Benson was born March 22, 1943 in Pittsburgh, Pa. The precocious youngster found early on that he possessed a fine singing voice and in fact made his public debut at age four at a Fourth of July show, leading to his nickname – “Little Georgie Benson”. Hearing the jazz guitar recordings of jazz guitarist Charlie Christian with the Benny Goodman Band a few years later ignited his longing to perform on guitar. There were no collection books of jazz guitar tabs or jazz guitar tablature in those days for George to study and learn from. His stepfather, Tom Collier, who also had desires of performing on guitar professionally owned an electric guitar that the youthful George coveted. Because his hands were too little at that point however, he had to settle for an ukulele instead.
By the time he was eight, Benson was rewarded with a very inexpensive guitar by his stepfather who acknowledged his talent. A nearby talent scout noticed George’s talents after seeing him play guitar on street corners and drove him to New York city. At the age of ten, Little Georgie Benson was signed to a short term record contract with RCA Victor Record Company’s “X” label and recorded four sides of R&B music which included Ray Charles’s “It Should Have Been Me”. Only one single, “She Makes Me Mad”, was released and the event helped add to Benson’s notoriety back home, but his strict stepfather saw the whole thing as too much of a distraction and took George’s guitar away!
Perhaps the absence of a strong, worthwhile focus in his life had some effect. At age 15, Benson got in trouble with the police and served six weeks in reform school. Once he got out he joined the Altarrs, an R&B singing group put together by one of his cousins. Wishing to play the guitar once again and sing, his stepfather built George a do-it-yourself electric guitar and amplification system for his use. By 17, George Benson was singing and performing on guitar with the Altarrs and they became one of the most preferred groups in the region.
Inside of a year, Benson was itching to have his own band. He formed a quintet whose repertoire consisted just about completely of R&B songs, but he was beginning to grow a real interest in jazz. Listening to the album “Jazz Winds From a New Direction” that included jazz guitarist Hank Garland and vibraphonist Gary Burton spurred him on to further exploration. Before too long the recordings of Charlie Parker, Charlie Christian, and Wes Montgomery headed him in a new be-bop direction and he began passionately woodshedding on his guitar together with frequenting numerous jam sessions. Jazz guitarists like Grant Green and Eddie McFadden passing through Pittsburgh added their encouragement upon hearing his ability and intensity. In truth, fellow Pittsburghian Grant Green would go on to suggest that he try his hand at being a studio musician. Fortunately, for aspiring jazz guitarists George Benson has released several jazz guitar tab books that feature most of his recorded solos as well as instructional Dvds which teach his guitar techniques and harmonic concepts.
About the Author
Peabody Conservatory trained guitarist Steven Herron helps guitar players become better guitarists. His company ChordMelody.com features an enormous selection of
jazz guitar tabs
as well as instructional DVDs by George Benson himself. Find out more and claim Steven’s popular free monthly guitar lesson e-course available at: =>
http://www.chordmelody.com/George-Benson.htm
Gary Burton Vibraphone Solo
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