George Benson
George Benson is an acclaimed American jazz guitarist, singer, and songwriter born on March 22, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A former child prodigy, he began performing professionally as a young musician and rose to fame blending jazz, pop, R&B, and scat singing.
Benson grew up in Pittsburgh's Hill District, starting as a singer in nightclubs at age eight and later playing ukulele and guitar. By his teens, he formed a rock band and drew inspiration from jazz icons like Wes Montgomery and Charlie Parker, transitioning to jazz guitar.
In 1961, at age 19, Benson joined organist Jack McDuff's quartet, recording and touring until 1965. He then led his own groups, signed with Columbia Records through talent scout John Hammond, and collaborated with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and others on soul jazz and hard bop albums.
Signed to Warner Bros. in 1976, Benson's album Breezin' topped the Billboard 200, went triple-platinum, and featured the hit "This Masquerade," earning his first Grammy. He sustained success through the 1980s with pop-jazz crossovers, selling out concerts worldwide.
Benson has won 10 Grammy Awards, received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, and was named a 2009 NEA Jazz Master. He continues performing, known for his rest-stroke picking technique and versatile style.
Married to Johnnie Lee since 1965, Benson has six children and resides in Arizona. His career spans over six decades, influencing jazz fusion and beyond.
20-20
Producer – Russ Titelman
Written-By – Clif Magness, Mark Mueller, Tom Keane
3:55
A2 Please Don't Walk Away
Producer – Russ Titelman
Written-By – James Newton Howard, Steve Lukather
3:51
A3 I Just Wanna Hang Around You
Producer – Russ Titelman
Written-By – Cruz Sembello, Daniel Sembello, Jon Sembello, Michael Sembello
4:41
A4 Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You
Producer – Michael Masser
Written-By – Gerry Goffin, Michael Masser
4:04
A5 Beyond The Sea (La Mer)
Lyrics By [English] – Jack Lawrence
Producer – Russ Titelman
Written-By – Charles Trenet
4:10
B1 20 / 20
Producer – Russ Titelman
Written-By – Randy Goodrum, Steve Kipner
4:07
B2 New Day
Producer – Russ Titelman
Written-By – Cecil & Linda Womack
4:27
B3 Hold Me
Co-producer – Danny Sembello, Michael Sembello
Producer – Russ Titelman
Written-By – Daniel Sembello, Michael Sembello
4:02
B4 Stand Up
Producer – Russ Titelman
Written-By – Neil Larsen
5:07
B5 You Are The Love Of My Life
Harmony Vocals – Roberta Flack
Producer – Michael Masser
Written-By – Linda Creed, Michael Masser
2:50
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: R&B Jazz, Soul, Pop
Style: Contemporary R&B, Smooth Jazz
George Benson's 20/20 (1985) is a polished, pop-leaning smooth jazz/R&B album known for its strong production, catchy melodies, and inclusion of hits like "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You" (later a hit for Glenn Medeiros), "You Are the Love of My Life" (duet with Roberta Flack), and the upbeat "New Day," though it divided some critics who preferred his jazz roots, while fans embraced its accessible, romantic vibe and quintessential 80s sound.
The standout tracks for critics are often the high-tech title track "20/20" and an "outstanding" big-band arrangement of "Beyond the Sea," which features jazz luminaries and is praised for its "velvet" arrangement.
Styles: Crossover Jazz, Pop Soul, Quiet Storm, Adult Contemporary R&B, featuring lush keyboards, synthesizers, and warm arrangements, primarily produced by Russ Titelman and recorded in many different studios, is often described as having a distinctly dated, "cheesy" 80s synth sound.
Many fans love it as a classic 80s record, praising its production, romantic appeal, and variety, even if it moved far from pure jazz. Some critics found it overly pop and emotionally empty, while others appreciated its escapist value and Benson's smooth vocals and guitar work.
It showcases Benson's ability to adapt to contemporary sounds, fitting into his diverse discography. Critics generally view 20/20 as a full embrace of a commercial pop sound, a move that alienated some long-time jazz fans.
In Summary, 20/20 is a definitive 80s pop-soul album from George Benson, offering romantic ballads and upbeat tracks that were commercially successful and beloved by fans, even if it alienated some jazz purists.
Bad Benson
Written-By – Paul Desmond
7:07
A2 Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams
Written-By – Marilyn & Alan Bergman*, Johnny Mandel
2:54
A3 My Latin Brother
Percussion – Phil Upchurch
Written-By – George Benson
6:55
B1 No Sooner Said Than Done
Written-By – Phil Upchurch
5:50
B2 Full Compass
Written-By, Bass [Electric] – Phil Upchurch
5:38
B3 The Changing World
Written-By – Art Gore, George Benson
4:50
Label: CTI Records – CTI 6045 S1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Soul-Jazz, Jazz-Funk
Breezin'
Bass – Phil Upchurch
Written-By – Bobby Womack
5:40
A2 This Masquerade
Piano [Acoustic], Soloist – Jorge Dalto
Written-By – Leon Russell
8:03
A3 Six To Four
Bass – Phil Upchurch
Synthesizer [Mini-moog], Soloist – Ronnie Foster
Written-By – Phil Upchurch
5:06
B1 Affirmation
Electric Piano, Soloist – Jorge Dalto
Written-By – José Feliciano
7:01
B2 So This Is Love?
Electric Piano, Soloist – Ronnie Foster
Written-By – George Benson
7:03
B3 Lady
Written-By – Ronnie Foster
5:49
Label: Warner Bros. Records – K56199
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Jazz
Style: Smooth Jazz, Jazz-Funk, Fusion
In Flight
Written-By – Eden Ahbez
5:58
A2 The Wind And I
Written-By – Foster
5:04
A3 The World Is A Ghetto
Written-By – Dickerson, Miller, Brown, Scott, Oskar, Jordan, Allen
9:41
B1 Gonna Love You More
Written-By – Albert
4:37
B2 Valdez In The Country
Written-By – Hathaway
4:29
B3 Everything Must Change
Written-By – Ighner
8:07
Label: Warner Bros. Records – K 56327
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
Country: UK
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Jazz, Soul
Style: Smooth Jazz, Jazz-Funk
Livin' Inside Your Love
Written-By – Earl Klugh
6:37
A2 Hey Girl
Written-By – Gerry Goffin, Carole King
4:31
A3 Nassau Day
Written-By – Ronnie Foster
6:14
B1 Soulful Strut
Written-By – Eugene Record, W. Sanders
5:37
B2 Prelude To Fall
Written-By – Ronnie Foster
6:30
B3 A Change Is Gonna Come
Written-By – Sam Cooke
3:47
C1 Love Ballad
Written-By – Scarborough
5:15
C2 You're Never Too Far From Me
Written-By – George Benson
6:43
C3 Love Is A Hurtin' Thing
Written-By – Ben Raleigh, Dave Linden
4:25
D1 Welcome Into My World
Written-By – George Benson
4:08
D2 Before You Go
Written-By – George Benson
6:27
D3 Unchained Melody
Written-By – Alex North, H. Zaret
6:36
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 2BSK 3277
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Soul, Jazz-Funk
Songs And Stories
Written-By – J. Taylor
3:48
2 Family Reunion
Written-By – C. Colbert, R. Temperton
4:18
3 Show Me Your Love
Written-By – D. Paich, S. Lukather
4:16
4 A Telephone Call Away
Vocals – Lalah Hathaway
Written-By – B. Withers
5:54
5 Someday We'll All Be Free
Written-By – D. Hathaway, E. Howard
6:19
6 Nuthin' But A Party
Written-By – C. Lomax, L. Troutman, M. McClain, R. Harris, R. Troutman
5:28
7 Come In From The Cold
Written-By – J. Tocket, M. Broussard, R. Foster
4:31
8 Exotica
Written-By – M. Miller
5:28
9 Rainy Night In Georgia
Written-By – T. J. White
4:49
10 One Like You
Written-By – D. Garfield, S. Robinson
4:41
11 Living In High Definition
Written-By – L. Dozier
7:14
12 Sailing
Written-By – C. Cross
5:15
Label: Concord Records – 0888072303645
Format: CD, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 2009
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Smooth Jazz, Soul
The Best Of George Benson
Written-By – Rod Temperton
3:43
2 Love Ballad
Written By – Skip Scarborough
4:16
3 This Masquerade (Edit)
Written By – Leon Russell
3:18
4 Love X Love
Written-By – Rod Temperton
4:45
5 I Just Wanna Hang Around You
Written By – Cruz Sembello, Danny Sembello, John Sembello, Michael Sembello
4:29
6 Turn Your Love Around
Written By – Bill Champlin, Jay Graydon, Steve Lukather
3:50
7 Inside Love (So Personal)
Written By, Producer, Arranged By – Kashif
5:15
8 20/20
Written By – Randy Goodrum, Steve Kipner
4:07
9 Everything Must Change (Edit)
Written By – Bernard Ighner
3:49
10 Never Give Up On A Good Thing
Written By – Michael Garvin, Tom Shapiro
4:06
11 Kisses In The Moonlight
Written By, Producer, Arranged By – Narada Michael Walden
5:25
12 Lady Love Me (One More Time)
Written By, Arranged By, Horns – David Paich
Written By, Arranged By, Strings – James Newton Howard
3:56
13 Lady Blue
Written By – Leon Russell
3:33
14 On Broadway (Edit)
Written By – Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
5:12
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 9 46050-2
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1995
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Jazz-Funk, Soul
Weekend In L.A.
Written-By – George Benson
7:21
A2 On Broadway
Written-By – Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
9:55
B1 Down Here On The Ground
Written-By – Gale Garnett, Lalo Schifrin
4:57
B2 California P.M.
Written-By – George Benson
6:59
B3 The Greatest Love Of All
Written-By – Linda Creed, Michael Masser
5:23
C1 It's All In The Game
Written-By – Carl Sigman, Charles Dawes
3:50
C2 Windsong
Written-By – Neil Larson*
6:04
C3 Ode To A Kudu
Written-By – George Benson
7:17
D1 Lady Blue
Written-By – Leon Russell
3:30
D2 We All Remember Wes
Written-By – Stevie Wonder
5:37
D3 We As Love
Written-By – Ronnie Foster
6:43
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 2WB 3139
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Jazz, Pop
Style: Jazz-Funk, Contemporary Jazz