Sat Eye Candy: George Benson

SMOOTH OPERATOR ADDS ANOTHER CANDLE

He was a celebrated, much-in-demand jazz guitarist in the ’60s that blew up into one of the biggest pop and R&B sensations in the ’70s. Today, George Benson turns 65, a craftsman who’s continued to work in both the jazz and pop fields for more than 40 years.

For those who only know him through radio hits like “This Masquerade,” “Give Me The Night” and “On Broadway,” there’s a long history that includes stints with Miles Davis (1967’s Miles In The Sky) and Hammond B-3 legend Brother Jack McDuff. And any soul-jazz DJ worth their salt has a copy of Benson’s 1969 Beatles salute, The Other Side Of Abbey Road, in their crate. We raise a glass of chilled Chablis to Benson and offer you some choice snippets of this superb musician in action.

Here’s Benson interpreting “Take Five” in 1976.

Pal George Duke lends him a hand on a swinging version of Miles Davis’ “All Blues”.

Finally, here’s Benson with a beautiful version of The Beatles’ “Here Comes The Sun” with the great Breezin’ band in the early ’70s.

And don’t forget, you can eyeball video sweetness 24/7 with JamBase TV.