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  1. George Benson Pays Tribute to Chuck Berry, Fats Domino on ‘Walking to New Orleans’

    February 21, 2019 by StephApropo

    George Benson gets back to Americana basics on ‘Walking to New Orleans‘, the legendary jazz guitarist’s double-barreled tribute to both piano-pounding Crescent City hit machine Fats Domino and the original rock guitar hero and poet, Chuck Berry.

    “I’m a great appreciator of the music made by both of those guys,” says Benson, who reanimates their genius with his signature soulful vocals and buttery solos. “Chuck Berry was a great showman and a great musician, and Fats Domino cut nothing but hit after hit after hit.”

    The Chuck Berry songbook is represented on ‘Walking To New Orleans’ by “Nadine (Is It You?),” “You Can’t Catch Me,” “Havana Moon,” “Memphis, Tennessee,” and “How You’ve Changed.” Fats Domino weighs in with “Rockin’ Chair,” “Ain’t That a Shame,” “I Hear You Knocking,” “Blue Monday,” and the album’s iconic title track.

    ‘Walking to New Orleans’ is Benson’s first recording since 2013’s ‘Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole.’ But where Benson embellished Cole’s cool tunes with lush orchestral arrangements, ‘Walking To New Orleans’ found Benson hunkering down in Ocean Way Studios on Music Row with a quartet of first-call Nashville cats: drummer and music director Greg Morrow, guitarist Rob McNelley, pianist Kevin McKendree, and bassist Alison Prestwood. Producer Kevin “The Caveman” Shirley (Journey, John Hiatt, Iron Maiden) was at the controls.

    ‘Walking to New Orleans’ is George Benson’s 45th album, and few sound quite as loose-limbed and flat-out fun as this one. “We did have us a ball making this record,” he admits.


  2. Ibanez releases 40th Anniversary GB Model Guitar

    February 21, 2017 by admin

    George Benson and Ibanez began a creative journey 40 years ago. It started with the goal of building a guitar suited to please a master jazz musician. Along the way, a legendary instrument was created for guitarists of every genre, all over the world. Now, Ibanez proudly celebrates with the release of two magnificent 40th Anniversary models.

    IN THE LATE ‘70’S…

    George Benson, an acknowledged master jazz guitarist and hit-making vocalist, needed an instrument that could both handle the rigors of the road and was compact enough to be able to be stashed in the overhead storage compartment of an airplane. Ibanez worked intensively with George to build a guitar that not only could travel, but could transcend.

    THE GEORGE BENSON MODELS

    In celebration of the GB10’s long history, Ibanez is extremely pleased to introduce two new George Benson models, thus adding another exciting chapter to the ever evolving relationship between George and Ibanez. The GB40TH and GB40THII boast an exceptionally open, warm sound while providing an amazing response with smooth sustain.

     

    GB40TH

    The Limited Edition GB40TH, produced with the utmost precision in Japan, features a 3-piece maple GB set-in neck, flamed maple top, back and sides, a bound ebony fretboard and a mother-of-pearl GB40TH special inlay. Outfitted with GB Special pickups and an ebony bridge and GB40TH special tailpiece, the GB40TH is destined to become a legendary guitar, just like its forbearer, the GB10.

     

    GB40THII

    The Limited Edition GB40THll is a more affordable, but a no less sumptuous instrument. It features a 3-piece maple GB set-in neck, a solid spruce top, flamed maple back and sides, GB Special pickups and an ebony bridge with a 40th Anniversary special inlay as well as a GB10 tailpiece with a 40th Anniversary specially-designed wood cover.

     

    LEARN MORE AT IBANEZ.COM


  3. Ultimate Collection Available Now!

    April 23, 2015 by admin

    The Ultimate Collection is now available!

    This deluxe 2-CD, 36-song collection features George Benson’s greatest hits, including “The Greatest Love Of All,” “20/20,” “Love X Love,” and duets including “When I Fall In Love” with Idina Menzel.

    Also included are special extended versions and rarities.

    Available now on Amazon here:

    http://smarturl.it/UltCollection2CD


  4. SCC Music Showcase – Feb. 12

    January 27, 2015 by admin

    Press Release:

    The Scottsdale Community College Music Department presents its annual Music Showcase Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015 at the school’s Performing Arts Center. For the fourth year, legendary jazz musician and singer George Benson will be on hand to present the scholarship named in his honor to a top SCC music student.

    The evening, which is free and open to the public, features the music department’s best student and faculty performers as soloists, in duets and in combos.

    Last year, Mr. Benson made some brief remarks and performed a song with an SCC combo.

    The George Benson Honorary Scholarship recipient will receive $1,500 to be used for his or her studies at SCC.

    Click here for more information.

     


  5. NAMM 15 Signing

    January 22, 2015 by admin

    Attending NAMM this year?  Come by the Monster booth Room 201c, Level 2 at 1pm Friday, Jan. 23rd.


  6. Barnes and Noble Book Signing

    September 30, 2014 by admin

    Come meet George this Saturday, October 4th, 2pm at the Barnes and Noble in Scottsdale and get your copy of Benson: The Autobiography signed.

    Barnes and Noble
    10500 North 90th St.
    Scottsdale, AZ
    480-391-0048


  7. Benson: The Autobiography Limited Edition Pre-Order

    July 17, 2014 by admin

    To celebrate the release of Benson: The Autobiography, we have developed a special limited edition package which you can only get here with the purchase of the book.

    We have printed 150 limited edition serigraphs of a rare image from the George Benson archive.

    Each 16″ × 20″ serigraph is individually hand printed and numbered on muscle tone #140 paper, using non­toxic, water­based, acrylic sepia and black inks.

    Click here to check out the video for more information.


  8. Benson: The Autobiography Sample Chapter

    June 15, 2014 by admin

    Benson: The Autobiography follows George’s remarkable rise from the ghettos of Pittsburgh to the stages of South Africa, and everywhere in between. An unparalleled storyteller, Benson tells of navigating his way through the recording studio with Miles Davis and performing with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Quincy Jones, Benny Goodman, and Count Basie.

    This long-awaited account of the first true (and truly successful) jazz/soul crossover artist will enthrall devotees of both music history and pop culture.

    This long-awaited book allows readers to meet one of the most beloved, prolific, and bestselling musicians of any era.

    Download a sample chapter of Benson: The Autobiography. Click here!


  9. Congrats Noah Simpson.

    February 13, 2014 by admin

    Congratulations to this year’s recipient SCC student and trumpet player Noah Simpson on winning the George Benson Honorary Scholarship.

    Each year, the Scottsdale Community College Music Department presents its annual Music Showcase and grants the George Benson Honorary Scholarship.

    This year’s visit by Mr. Benson marks the third year he’s been on campus to present the scholarship named in his honor.


  10. Ronnie Scott’s

    January 8, 2014 by admin

    “The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of the greatest legends of jazz, soul and popular music in the intimate surroundings of Ronnie Scott’s sold out to club members within six minutes of going on sale. The two shows which will take place on 18th June have been the club’s fastest selling shows to date.” – Music News.com