Guitar and vocal legend George Benson was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He began playing guitar at age seven, and shortly thereafter was performing live. At the age of ten he recorded his first single "She Makes Me Mad,' using the pseudonym 'Little Georgie.'

In his early 20s he recorded his first leader album, The New Boss Guitar, featured Jack McDuff on organ. Benson's next recording was 1966's It's Uptown including Lonnie Smith on organ and Ronnie Cuber on baritone saxophone. This group would go on to record The George Benson Cookbook, also with Lonnie Smith and Ronnie Cuber. Benson would be featured on Miles Davis' 1968 album Miles in Sky, recording a guitar solo on the tune 'Paraphernalia.'

Benson joined CTI Records recording several albums including the 1974 release Bad Benson. This album was Benson's first to reach the Billboard jazz chart.

Benson reached stardom with the 1976 release of the Grammy-winning album Breezin.' This milestone album featured the smash hit 'This Masquerade' with Benson singing. The Qwest record label, run by Quincy Jones, released Benson's 'crossover' pop album 'Give Me The Night.' This album firmly cemented Benson's rock-star status and led to him becoming an international star. The vocal song 'Give Me the Night' made it into the R&B and pop top ten charts.

Based on his vocal success, it was producer and friend Quincy Jones who encouraged Benson to continue to explore his voice. Turing to his idols Nat Cole, Ray Charles, and Donny Hathaway for inspiration, Benson continued to showcase his tremendous vocal ability on albums through the 1980s and '90s.

Benson has been recognized as a Jazz Master by the NEA and has had a signature line of guitars manufactured by Ibanez. He continues to record and tour and is universally regarded as one of the most important American musicians.