George Benson: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|American guitarist and singer (born 1943)}}
{{short description|American guitarist and singer (born 1943)}}
{{about|the American singer and songwriter|other people}}
{{about|the American singer and songwriter|other people}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name              = George Benson
| name              = George Benson
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| birth_name        = George Washington Benson
| birth_name        = George Washington Benson
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|1943|3|22}}
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|1943|3|22}}
| birth_place      = [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| birth_place      = [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_date        =
| death_place      =
| genre            = {{hlist|[[Jazz]]|[[jazz fusion]]|[[smooth jazz]]|[[soul jazz]]|[[disco]]|[[adult contemporary]]|[[urban contemporary]]|}}
| genre            = {{hlist|[[Jazz]]|[[jazz fusion]]|[[smooth jazz]]|[[soul jazz]]|[[disco]]|[[adult contemporary]]|[[urban contemporary]]|}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Singer|musician|songwriter}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Singer|musician|songwriter}}
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| years_active      = 1964–present<ref name="ReferenceA">Australian ABCTV Flashez interview January 1, 1977.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globaldogproductions.info/g/groove.html |title=45 discography for Groove Records |website=Globaldogproductions.info |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-date=February 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225103120/http://www.globaldogproductions.info/g/groove.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| years_active      = 1964–present<ref name="ReferenceA">Australian ABCTV Flashez interview January 1, 1977.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globaldogproductions.info/g/groove.html |title=45 discography for Groove Records |website=Globaldogproductions.info |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-date=February 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225103120/http://www.globaldogproductions.info/g/groove.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| label            = {{hlist|[[Prestige Records|Prestige]]|[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]|[[Verve Records|Verve]]|[[A&M Records|A&M]]|[[CTI Records|CTI]]|[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]|[[GRP Records|GRP]]|[[Concord Records|Concord]]|[[Mascot Records|Mascot]]}}
| label            = {{hlist|[[Prestige Records|Prestige]]|[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]|[[Verve Records|Verve]]|[[A&M Records|A&M]]|[[CTI Records|CTI]]|[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]|[[GRP Records|GRP]]|[[Concord Records|Concord]]|[[Mascot Records|Mascot]]}}
| associated_acts  = {{hlist|[[Jack McDuff]]|[[Fuse One]]}}
| website          = [https://www.georgebenson.com/ georgebenson.com]
| website          = [https://www.georgebenson.com/ georgebenson.com]
}}
}}
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=== Early career ===
=== Early career ===
Benson was born and raised in the [[Hill District]] of [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]].<ref name="christianebird-bio">{{cite book |title=The Da Capo Jazz And Blues Lover's Guide to the U.s. |last=Bird |first=Christiane |year=2001 |publisher=[[Da Capo Press]] |isbn=0-306-81034-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/dacapojazzbluesl0000bird/page/196 196] |access-date=September 8, 2012 |url=https://archive.org/details/dacapojazzbluesl0000bird|url-access=registration |quote=Hill District George Benson. }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Faith, Health, and Healing in African American Life |last1=Mitchem |first1=Stephanie Y. |last2=Townes |first2=Emilie Maureen |year=2008 |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] |isbn=978-0-275-99375-7 |page=111 |access-date=September 8, 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dBVTH6F7iGAC&q=Hill+District+George+Benson&pg=PA111}}</ref> 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<ref name="christianebird-bio" /> 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",<ref name="ReferenceA" /> with [[RCA Victor]] in New York. Although one source indicates this record was released under the name "Little Georgie",<ref name="christianebird-bio" /> 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rootsvinylguide.com/ebay_items/r-b-45-george-benson-it-should-have-been-me-2-groove-hear|title=Roots Vinyl Guide|first=Will|last=Sulzer|website=rootsvinylguide.com}}</ref>
Benson was born and raised in the [[Hill District]] of [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]].<ref name="christianebird-bio">{{cite book |title=The Da Capo Jazz And Blues Lover's Guide to the U.s. |last=Bird |first=Christiane |year=2001 |publisher=[[Da Capo Press]] |isbn=0-306-81034-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/dacapojazzbluesl0000bird/page/196 196] |access-date=September 8, 2012 |url=https://archive.org/details/dacapojazzbluesl0000bird|url-access=registration |quote=Hill District George Benson. }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Faith, Health, and Healing in African American Life |last1=Mitchem |first1=Stephanie Y. |last2=Townes |first2=Emilie Maureen |year=2008 |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] |isbn=978-0-275-99375-7 |page=111 |access-date=September 8, 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dBVTH6F7iGAC&q=Hill+District+George+Benson&pg=PA111}}</ref> 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<ref name="christianebird-bio" /> 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",<ref name="ReferenceA" /> with [[RCA Victor]] in New York. Although one source indicates this record was released under the name "Little Georgie",<ref name="christianebird-bio" /> the 45&nbsp;rpm label is printed with the name George Benson.  The single was produced by [[Leroy Kirkland]] for RCA's rhythm and blues label, [[Groove Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rootsvinylguide.com/ebay_items/r-b-45-george-benson-it-should-have-been-me-2-groove-hear|title=Roots Vinyl Guide|first=Will|last=Sulzer|website=rootsvinylguide.com}}</ref>


Benson attended Connelley Vocational High School on Bedford Avenue in the Hill District. However, he dropped out, choosing to focus on music.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 August 2024 |title=George Benson on the Scene on WZUM |url=https://www.wzum.org/jazz-blog/2024/8/08/wzum-the-scene-h |website=WZUM Jazz Pittsburgh |publisher=Pittsburgh Public Media (the owner of [[WZUM-FM]] and affiliated Pittsburgh-area jazz stations)}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 1987, Benson received an honorary degree from [[Pittsburgh Public Schools]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Seebacher |first1=Noreen |date=30 September 1987 |title=Schools honor dropout George Benson |url=https://www.wzum.org/jazz-blog/2024/8/08/wzum-the-scene-h |access-date=9 August 2024 |work=[[The Pittsburgh Press]] |page=A2 |type=This 1987 ''Pittsburgh Press'' article was scanned into the online blog post of the radio station [[WZUM-FM|WZUM]], which is owned by Pittsburgh Public Media. |format=JPEG}}</ref>
Benson attended Connelley Vocational High School on Bedford Avenue in the Hill District. However, he dropped out, choosing to focus on music.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 August 2024 |title=George Benson on the Scene on WZUM |url=https://www.wzum.org/jazz-blog/2024/8/08/wzum-the-scene-h |website=WZUM Jazz Pittsburgh |publisher=Pittsburgh Public Media (the owner of [[WZUM-FM]] and affiliated Pittsburgh-area jazz stations)}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 1987, Benson received an honorary degree from [[Pittsburgh Public Schools]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Seebacher |first1=Noreen |date=30 September 1987 |title=Schools honor dropout George Benson |url=https://www.wzum.org/jazz-blog/2024/8/08/wzum-the-scene-h |access-date=9 August 2024 |work=[[The Pittsburgh Press]] |page=A2 |type=This 1987 ''Pittsburgh Press'' article was scanned into the online blog post of the radio station [[WZUM-FM|WZUM]], which is owned by Pittsburgh Public Media. |format=JPEG}}</ref>
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In 1976, Benson embarked on a tour called George & Minnie Live! with soul singer [[Minnie Riperton]]; she had recently been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and would die in 1979. In addition, Benson appeared as a guitarist and backup vocalist on [[Stevie Wonder]]'s song "[[Another Star]]" from Wonder's album ''[[Songs in the Key of Life]]'' (1976).
In 1976, Benson embarked on a tour called George & Minnie Live! with soul singer [[Minnie Riperton]]; she had recently been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and would die in 1979. In addition, Benson appeared as a guitarist and backup vocalist on [[Stevie Wonder]]'s song "[[Another Star]]" from Wonder's album ''[[Songs in the Key of Life]]'' (1976).


He also recorded the original version of "[[The Greatest Love of All]]" for the 1977 [[Muhammad Ali]] biopic, ''[[The Greatest (1977 film)|The Greatest]]'',<ref name="LarkinSM" /> which was later covered by [[Whitney Houston]] as "Greatest Love of All."<ref name="VH1 – Artists bio" /> During this time Benson recorded with the German conductor [[Claus Ogerman]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bjbear71.com/Ogerman/Claus.html |title=The Work of Claus Ogerman |website=Bjbear71.com |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-date=January 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130203827/http://www.bjbear71.com/Ogerman/Claus.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The live take of "[[On Broadway (song)|On Broadway]]," recorded a few months later from the 1978 release ''[[Weekend in L.A.]]'', also won a Grammy.<ref name="LarkinSM" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=1980-04-10 |title=Guitar or Vocals, Benson's on Top by Tom McCarthey, Excellent Jazz Pianist Ramsey Lewis "warmed up" |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salt-lake-tribune-guitar-or-vocals/158166213/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |pages=17}}</ref>
He also recorded the original version of "[[The Greatest Love of All]]" for the 1977 [[Muhammad Ali]] biopic, ''[[The Greatest (1977 film)|The Greatest]]'',<ref name="LarkinSM" /> which was later covered by [[Whitney Houston]] as "Greatest Love of All."<ref name="VH1 – Artists bio" /> During this time Benson recorded with the German conductor [[Claus Ogerman]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bjbear71.com/Ogerman/Claus.html |title=The Work of Claus Ogerman |website=Bjbear71.com |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-date=January 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130203827/http://www.bjbear71.com/Ogerman/Claus.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref> The live take of "[[On Broadway (song)|On Broadway]]," recorded a few months later from the 1978 release ''[[Weekend in L.A.]]'', also won a Grammy.<ref name="LarkinSM" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=1980-04-10 |title=Guitar or Vocals, Benson's on Top by Tom McCarthey, Excellent Jazz Pianist Ramsey Lewis "warmed up" |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salt-lake-tribune-guitar-or-vocals/158166213/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |pages=17}}</ref>


[[File:George benson 1986 montreux 16 3.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Benson in Montreux 1986]]
[[File:George benson 1986 montreux 16 3.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Benson in Montreux 1986]]
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}}
}}


On July 12, 2018, it was announced that Benson had signed to [[Mascot Label Group]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mascot Label Group Celebrates Breakthrough Year |url=https://usa.mascotlabelgroup.com/Mascot-Label-Group-Celebrates-Breakthrough-Year |website=Mascot Label Group |access-date=July 12, 2018 }}{{dead link|date=April 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
On July 12, 2018, it was announced that Benson had signed to [[Mascot Label Group]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mascot Label Group Celebrates Breakthrough Year |url=https://usa.mascotlabelgroup.com/Mascot-Label-Group-Celebrates-Breakthrough-Year |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712183017/https://usa.mascotlabelgroup.com/Mascot-Label-Group-Celebrates-Breakthrough-Year |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 12, 2018 |website=Mascot Label Group |access-date=July 12, 2018 }}</ref>


Benson stopped touring internationally at the start of 2024 due to ill health, cancelling a series of UK concerts that summer.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/george-benson-cancelled-#:~:text=Unfortunately%2C%20on%20Doctors%20advice%20and,doctors%20to%20stop%20touring%20internationally. | title=George Benson - Cancelled |website=Glasgowlife.org.uk}}</ref>
Benson stopped touring internationally at the start of 2024 due to ill health, cancelling a series of UK concerts that summer.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/george-benson-cancelled-#:~:text=Unfortunately%2C%20on%20Doctors%20advice%20and,doctors%20to%20stop%20touring%20internationally. | title=George Benson - Cancelled |website=Glasgowlife.org.uk}}</ref>
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== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Benson has been married to Johnnie Lee since 1965 and has seven children. Benson describes his music as focusing more on love and romance, due to his commitment to his family and religious practices, with Benson being a [[Jehovah's Witnesses|Jehovah's Witness]].<ref name=Telegraph>{{cite news|last=Walden|first=Celia|title=George Benson interview: love songs are one of the things in life that last|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/7547659/George-Benson-interview-love-songs-are-one-of-the-things-in-life-that-last.html|website=The Daily Telegraph |date=April 6, 2010|access-date=May 28, 2013}}</ref> Benson has been a resident of [[Englewood, New Jersey]].<ref>Stewart, Zan, [https://web.archive.org/web/20080927062323/http://www.nj.com/greatday/stories/more.html "The State of Jazz: Meet 40 More Jersey Greats"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', September 28, 2003, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of September 27, 2008. Accessed September 15, 2017. "George Benson – A longtime resident of Englewood, Benson is a superb jazz guitarist who has found fame as a pop vocalist."</ref>
Benson has been married to Johnnie Lee since 1965 and has seven children. Benson describes his music as focusing more on love and romance, due to his commitment to his family and religious practices, with Benson being one of [[Jehovah's Witnesses|Jehovah's Witnesses]].<ref name=Telegraph>{{cite news|last=Walden|first=Celia|title=George Benson interview: love songs are one of the things in life that last|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/7547659/George-Benson-interview-love-songs-are-one-of-the-things-in-life-that-last.html|website=The Daily Telegraph |date=April 6, 2010|access-date=May 28, 2013}}</ref> Benson has been a resident of [[Englewood, New Jersey]].<ref>Stewart, Zan, [https://web.archive.org/web/20080927062323/http://www.nj.com/greatday/stories/more.html "The State of Jazz: Meet 40 More Jersey Greats"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', September 28, 2003, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of September 27, 2008. Accessed September 15, 2017. "George Benson – A longtime resident of Englewood, Benson is a superb jazz guitarist who has found fame as a pop vocalist."</ref>


== Discography ==
== Discography ==
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|-
|-
|1973
|1973
|[[White Rabbit (George Benson album)|White Rabbit]]
|"[[White Rabbit (George Benson album)|White Rabbit]]"
|Best Jazz Performance By A Group
|Best Jazz Performance By A Group
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|rowspan="5"|1977
|rowspan="5"|1977
|Theme From Good King Bad
|"Theme From Good King Bad"
|[[Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance|Best R&B Instrumental Performance]]
|[[Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance|Best R&B Instrumental Performance]]
|{{win}}
|{{win}}
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Breezin']]
|rowspan="2"|''[[Breezin']]''
|[[Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance|Best Pop Instrumental Performance]]
|[[Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance|Best Pop Instrumental Performance]]
|{{win}}
|{{win}}
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|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[This Masquerade]]
|rowspan="2"|"[[This Masquerade]]"
|[[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record Of The Year]]
|[[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record Of The Year]]
|{{win}}
|{{win}}
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|-
|-
|1979
|1979
|[[On Broadway (song)|On Broadway]]
|"[[On Broadway (song)|On Broadway]]"
|[[Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance|Best Male R&B Vocal Performance]]
|[[Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance|Best Male R&B Vocal Performance]]
|{{win}}
|{{win}}
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|1980
|rowspan="2"|1980
|[[Livin' Inside Your Love]]
|"[[Livin' Inside Your Love]]"
|[[Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance|Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal or Instrumental]]
|[[Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance|Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal or Instrumental]]
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|[[Love Ballad (L.T.D. song)|Love Ballad]]
|"[[Love Ballad (L.T.D. song)|Love Ballad]]"
|Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
|Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-  
|-  
|rowspan="3"|1981
|rowspan="3"|1981
|Moody's Mood
|''Moody's Mood''
|[[Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album|Best Male Jazz Vocal Performance]]
|[[Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album|Best Male Jazz Vocal Performance]]
|{{win}}
|{{win}}
|-
|-
|Off Broadway
|"Off Broadway"
|Best R&B Instrumental Performance
|Best R&B Instrumental Performance
|{{win}}
|{{win}}
|-
|-
|[[Give Me the Night (song)|Give Me the Night]]
|"[[Give Me the Night (song)|Give Me the Night]]"
|rowspan="2"|Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
|rowspan="2"|Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
|{{win}}
|{{win}}
|-
|-
|1983
|1983
|[[Turn Your Love Around]]
|"[[Turn Your Love Around]]"
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|1984
|1984
|Being With You
|"Being With You"
|Best Pop Instrumental Performance
|Best Pop Instrumental Performance
|{{win}}
|{{win}}
|-
|-
|1986
|1986
|Beyond The Sea
|"Beyond The Sea"
|Best Male Jazz Vocal Performance
|Best Male Jazz Vocal Performance
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|1988
|1988
|[[Collaboration (George Benson & Earl Klugh album)|Collaboration]]
|''[[Collaboration (George Benson & Earl Klugh album)|Collaboration]]''
|Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal Or Instrumental
|Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal Or Instrumental
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|1990
|1990
|[[Tenderly (George Benson album)|Tenderly]]
|''[[Tenderly (George Benson album)|Tenderly]]''
|rowspan="2"|Best Male Jazz Vocal Performance
|rowspan="2"|Best Male Jazz Vocal Performance
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|1991
|rowspan="2"|1991
|[[Big Boss Band]]
|''[[Big Boss Band]]''
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|Basie's Bag
|"Basie's Bag"
|[[Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance|Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist]]
|[[Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance|Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist]]
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|1994
|1994
|[[Got to Be There (song)|Got To Be There]]
|"[[Got to Be There (song)|Got To Be There]]"
|rowspan="4"|[[Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance|Best Pop Instrumental Performance]]
|rowspan="4"|[[Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance|Best Pop Instrumental Performance]]
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|1998
|1998
|Song For My Brother
|"Song For My Brother"
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|2005
|2005
|Take You Out
|"Take You Out"
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|2007
|rowspan="3"|2007
|[[Mornin']]
|"[[Mornin']]"
|{{win}}
|{{win}}
|-
|-
|God Bless The Child
|"God Bless The Child"
|[[Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance|Best Traditional R&B Performance]]
|[[Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance|Best Traditional R&B Performance]]
|{{win}}
|{{win}}
|-
|-
|Breezin'
|"Breezin'"
|[[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals|Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals]]
|[[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals|Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals]]
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Benson, George}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benson, George}}
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[[Category:Warner Records artists]]
[[Category:Warner Records artists]]
[[Category:NEA Jazz Masters]]
[[Category:NEA Jazz Masters]]
[[Category: Jazz musicians from Pittsburgh]]
Retrieved from "https://wiki.tachyony.co.uk/wiki/George_Benson"