George Benson (born March 22, 1943 in Pittsburgh) is an American musician, whose recording career began at the age of 21 as a jazz guitarist. He is however, better known to the public at large as a Pop/R&B singer, famous for such hits as "Give Me The Night", "Turn Your Love Around" and "This Masquerade", amongst many others. Contents [hide] 1 Early career 2 Discography 2.1 Albums 3 Samples 4 External links [edit] Early career George Benson was born and raised in the Hill District in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. George Benson started out playing straight-ahead instrumental jazz with organist Jack McDuff. Benson got his first experience playing with his several-year stint with McDuff's group. At the age of 21, Benson recorded his first album as leader, The New Boss Guitar, with Brother Jack McDuff on organ. Benson's next recording was It's Uptown with the George Benson Quartet with Lonnie Smith on organ and Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax. This album showcases Benson's talent in constructing swinging bebop lines at blistering tempos. Benson followed it up with "The George Benson Cookbook," also with Lonnie Smith and Ronnie Cuber. [edit] Discography Taken from the Dutch Wikipedia. [edit] Albums Title Release Remarks George Benson/Jack McDuff 1964 - The New Boss Guitar 1964 - Benson Burner 1965 - This is Jazz, Vol. 9 1965 - Its Uptown 1966 - George Benson Cookbook 1966 - Benson Burner 1966 - Blue Benson 1967 - Willow Weep For Me 1967 - Giblet Gravy 1968 - Shape of Things to Come 1968 - Goodies 1968 - Tell It Like It Is 1969 - The other side of Abbey Road 1969 - I Got A Woman And Some Blues 1970 - Beyond the Blue Horizon 1971 recorded at Van Gelder Studios (NL) White Rabbit 1971 - Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon Vol. 1 & 2 1973 Live Wichcraft 1973 Live Body Talk 1973 - Bad Benson 1974 - In Concert-Carnegie Hall 1975 Live Good King Bad 1975 - Breezin 1976 - Benson & Farrell 1976 - In Flight 1977 - Livin' Inside Your Love 1977 - Weekend in L.A 1977 - Space Album 1978 - In Your Eyes 1978 - Take Five 1979 - Cast Your Fate to the Wind 1980 - Give Me The Night 1980 - GB 1981 - The George Benson Collection 1981 - Pacific Fire 1983 - 20-20 1984 - Live in Concert 1984 Live While The City Sleeps… 1986 - Collaboration 1987 - Twice the Love 1988 - Tenderly 1989 - Big Boss Band 1990 - The Essence of George Benson 1992 - Love Remembers 1993 - The Most Exciting New Guitarist on the Jazz Scene 1994 - California Dreamin' 1996 - Lil Darlin' 1996 - Thats Right 1996 - Standing Together 1998 - Masquerade 1998 - The Masquerade Is Over 1999 - Absolute Benson 2000 - All Blues 2001 - Blue Bossa 2002 - After Hours 2002 - Irreplaceable 2004 - Golden Legends Live 2004 - Jazz After Hours with George Benson 2005 - Best of George Benson 2005 Live [edit] Samples Download sample of "This Masquerade" - originally from "Breezin'[[2]]", 1976 [edit] External links George Benson George Benson official homepage George Benson's career on A&M Records with gallery, international discography George Benson Guitar Tabs The Work of Claus Ogerman - George Benson's work with hit arranger/conductor Claus Ogerman is documented here in a pictorial discography of original albums, compilations, and singles - many with explanatory liner notes. Persondata NAME Benson, George ALTERNATIVE NAMES SHORT DESCRIPTION American singer-guitarist DATE OF BIRTH May 22, 1943 PLACE OF BIRTH DATE OF DEATH PLACE OF DEATH Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Benson"