Benson, George Washington (1943-?)

George Washington Benson is a jazz musician. He grew up playing guitar and began recording at a young age. He performed for several years with Jack McDuff. His first album was "The New Boss Guitar." He also worked with McDuff to release“It’s Uptown” and “George Benson Cookbook.” He worked with Columbia Records in the late 1960s before moving to Verve Records. He then signed with CTI Records.  In the 1970s Benson skyrocketed to global fame as he turned toward pop and R&B and his hit Quincy Jones produced the album “Give Me the Night.” He has worked with artists such as Minnie Riperton and acted as a guitarist for Stevie Wonder's "Another Star." He married Johnnie Lee in 1965. He had seven children. He is also a Jehovah's Witness. Benson moved to Englewood in the 1970s with his wife and children. Benson bought a home on Next Day Hill Drive designed by Eleanor Petterson, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Jeannin, Judy. "He stays a step ahead of a fashionable audience." The Record, 18 Feb. 1977, p. B-1.

"George Benson's both sides now." The Record, 19 Jan. 2001, p. 33.

"George Benson." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundations, 25 Aug. 2024.

23 September 2011
Benson attending the AARP's 2011 Life@50+ National Event and Expo in September 2011.

Public Domain

1943-03-22

Hill District, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA

"George Benson." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundations, 25 Aug. 2024.