Few musicians have seen the success that guitarist, vocalist and cultural icon George Benson has — platinum records, a record of the year Grammy, four top 10 hits. But from behind the gilded veil of fame, Benson’s immaculate chops shine through. He began working on the scene as a guitarist when he was an eight-year old back in Pittsburgh, Pa.
, and those chops led to gigs with jazz luminaries Brother Jack McDuff, Lou Donaldson and Lee Morgan, among others. When his fame started reaching new heights in the 1970s, though, the jazz community took umbrage to his success. “Everybody I know in the jazz world who cut a record that was exceptional or went out in front of everybody else.
.. [was] criticized for doing it.
” Benson says. “They said, ‘Well, it’s too commercial.’ In other words: It appealed to too many people, so something’s got to be wrong with it.
” In this very special episode, host Christian McBride sits down with George Benson to talk about his decades-long career in the spotlight, his new “lost” album Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon and his principles as an artist. “My life does not depend on what the next man is doing.” says Benson.
“It’s what I do.” Set List: “Love is Blue” (Bryan Blackburn / Pierre Cour / André Popp), from the album Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon (Rhino) “A Song For You” (Leon Russell), from the album Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robe.