George Benson (saxophonist)

George Benson
Birth nameGeorge Franklin Benson
BornFebruary 26, 1929
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
DiedMarch 9, 2019 (aged 90)
GenresJazz
InstrumentsSaxophone

George Franklin Benson Jr. (February 26, 1929 – March 9, 2019) was an American jazz musician and educator.[1][2]

Background[edit]

Benson served in the United States Army during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Oahu. Benson later worked for the United States Postal Service.[3]

As a session musician, Benson appeared on several Motown sessions in the 1960s, particularly with Marvin Gaye.[4] In 1983, he recorded with J. C. Heard on Heard's first album as leader since 1958, with pianist Claude Black and Canadian bassist Dave Young. Benson co-led an album with Heard in 1988.

Benson died on March 9, 2019.[5]

Discography[edit]

As leader/co-leader
  • The Key Player
  • 1986: Detroit's George Benson Swings & Swings & Swings' (Parkwood)
  • 1988: Mr. B. with J.C. Heard - Partners in Time (Blind Pig Records)
  • 1998: Sax Master (Alembic Arts Label)
As sideman
  • 1967: Temptations Live! - The Temptations
  • 1970: The Earl of Funk - Earl Van Dyke (Soul Records)
  • 1972: New McKinneys Cotton Pickers (Bountiful Label)
  • 1978: Take a Look at Yourself - Eddie Russ (Monument Records)
  • 1980: The Austin Moro Big Band (Locus Label)
  • 1983: The Detroit Jazz Tradition - Alive & Well - JC Heard (Parkwood)
  • 1988: Paradise Valley Ducts - Sammy Price (Parkwood)
  • 1992: Live in Concert - Wendell Harrison
  • 1994: Time Won't Stop - Alma Smith (Valma Music Company)
  • 1997: Everybody's Favorite - B.B. Queen
  • 1998: Unwind: Creative Healing - various artists
  • 1998: Suite William - Bess Bonnier (Noteworks Label)
  • The Matt Michaels Trio & Friends - Matt Michaels
  • The Eyes of Youth - Dennis Tini
  • Live at Sharaku - Miyoko Honma
  • A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance - Chris Collins
  • Parisian Protocol - Paul VornHagen
  • Swing as You Are - Paul VornHagen
  • Exordium - Brad Felt
  • A Monk and a Mingus Among Us - Donald Walden
  • Jazzscapes - Sheila Landis

Publications[edit]

  • Jazz Etudes Over Classic Jazz Changes (Houston Publishing)

References[edit]

  1. ^ "George Benson Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
  2. ^ "George Benson (2)". Discogs. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
  3. ^ "Obituaries in Detroit, MI | The Detroit Free Press". freep.com. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
  4. ^ Leszczak, Bob (2014-12-11). Encyclopedia of Pop Music Aliases, 1950-2000 (in Arabic). Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-4422-4008-7.
  5. ^ Obituary. Retrieved March 11, 2019.

External links[edit]