Seventy-five years after playing his first public performance on a ukulele, George Benson launches a first-of-its-kind immersive musical experience—George Benson’s Breezin’ With The Stars—for music lovers, guitar enthusiasts, and fans of all ages and skill levels. Gathering some of the world’s best in the business as guest clinicians and mentors, all of whom he has worked with in various capacities over the years (including Steve Lukather, Esperanza Spalding, Patti Austin, Lee Ritenour, Tommy Emmanuel, Stanley Jordan, Andy Timmons, John Scofield, and Cory Wong), Benson launches his intimate, interactive four-day learning event this January in Phoenix (details and tickets at breezinwiththestars.com).
All-inclusive packages cover everything from lodging and food, master classes, workshops with Q&As (navigated by host/moderator Rick Beato), and personal storytelling sessions, to impromptu jams and evening concerts with a phenomenal house band (with Isaiah Sharkey on guitar, Chris Walker on bass, Teddy Campbell on drums, and Greg Phillinganes as musical director on keys). Enhanced by the unique, tranquil setting of Phoenix’s Wigwam Resort, guests can relax within over 400 acres of lush gardens, golf courses, and pools, with fine dining and spa treatments also available on-site.
Benson says that proximity has made all the difference for him as he moved up the ranks in music, and he hopes to be able to pay it forward by providing the same sort of experience for others. There is “a great benefit to being in the same environment,” says Benson. “Sometimes that's all it takes - to breathe the same air, to think along the same lines that the artists are thinking. You get an idea of what they're trying to say (…) and the next time, you'll think of it differently.”
As a professional guitarist since age 19, Benson is known for his soul-jazz stylings, pop and R&B sound, and his unmatched scat vocals. With 10 GRAMMY Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and multiple gold and platinum albums, 1976’s triple platinum Breezin’ hit #1 on Billboard charts, with the single “This Masquerade” (featuring Benson on lead vocals) winning GRAMMY Record of the Year. Working with legends including Jack McDuff, Wes Montgomery, Lonnie Smith, Ronnie Cuber, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Farrell, Minnie Ripperton, Wynton Marsalis, Judith Hill, Marcus Miller, and others, he also served as guitarist and backup vocalist for Stevie Wonder on “Another Star” (from Songs in the Key of Life), and recorded “The Greatest Love of All” for 1977’s Muhammad Ali bio, The Greatest. 1978’s live recording of “On Broadway” also won a GRAMMY, and Benson broke the POP/R&B Top 10 list with “Give Me The Night” (written by Heatwave keyboardist Rod Temperton).
His hit singles include: “Love All the Hurt Away,” “Turn Your Love Around,” “Inside Love,” “Lady Love Me,” “20/20,” “Shiver,” and “Kisses in the Moonlight.” His latest release, Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon, was originally recorded in 1989, but only recently released after the masters were thought to be lost. The record is a blend of jazz guitar with Farnon’s orchestration (Farnon is known for his work with Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, and Lena Horne), and features the London Symphony Orchestra. More archival releases and new collaborations (including work with Bootsy Collins and George Clinton) are on the way.
With an honorary doctorate of music from the Berklee College of Music, and recognized as a National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master in 2009, Benson has also long been synonymous with incredible limited-edition custom guitars. The GB30TH limited-edition gold-foil finish inspired by Japanese Garahaku Art was released to celebrate his 30-year relationship with Ibanez guitars. His 1978 signature Ibanez was played by Joni Mitchell from 1978-1983. Launching this month, Benson has released some of his rare and vintage studio and tour-used guitars in his own Reverb store, in the hopes of inspiring a new generation of guitarists.
Some of the instruments for sale include his Gibson Johnny Smith (played on Breezin’ album and used to record “This Masquerade”), his Ibanez GB10 (used as Benson’s touring guitar for the last decade and the only one he plays on stage), a 1980 —only GB10 he plays on stage, a D’Aquisto from 1980 (built personally by Jimmy D’Aquisto), exclusive Ibanez models including the only existing Ibanez GB (modeled after the GB20), a 30th Anniversary GB Kimono Inlay, the GB 45th SSR prototype with custom-designed tailpiece, and a Gibson L5 Wes Montgomery (complete with rare tortoiseshell pickguard).
Fellow musicians often look at his collection and ask if he is willing to sell any. Says Benson, “These are some wonderful babies. People will be glad to have them in their own collection and to play them. I figured this would be a good time to let other people have a shot at it, so they can come to my store and make a bid on a guitar.” See the complete collection at The Official George Benson Reverb Shop.
