On July 10, 1987, John Henry Hammond II died aged 76. He was record producer, music critics, civil rights activist, and music scout, one of the most influential figures in 20th-century modern music. As “Columbia Records” company executive and as a record producer, he supported numerous musical careers, including those of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Benny Goodman, Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Freddie Green, Leonard Cohen, Arthur Russell, Harry James, Charlie Christian, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Teddy Wilson, Big Joe Turner, Pete Seeger, Babatunde Olatunji, Jim Copp, Asha Puthli, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Mike Bloomfield. He also initiated the revival of delta blues legend Robert Johnson’s music. He is the father of blues musician John P. Hammond.
Tag Archives: George Benson
Jimmy McGriff: McGriff’s House Party
On April 18, 2000, “Milestone” label released “McGriff’s House Party”, the 58th Jimmy McGriff album. It was recorded in September 1999, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englwood Cliffs, NJ, and was produced by Bob Porter.
Personnel:
- Jimmy McGriff– Hammond X-B3 organ
- Kenny Rampton – trumpet
- Eric Alexander – tenor saxophone
- Bill Easley– tenor saxophone
- Lonnie Smith– organ
- Rodney Jones – guitar
- Bernard Purdie− drums
Track listing:
All tracks by Rodney Jones except where noted
- Neckbones a la Carte
- Blues for Stitt – Bill Easley
- Red Roses for a Blue Lady – Sid Tepper, Roy C. Bennett
- Red Cadillac Boogaloo – George Benson
- That’s All – Alan Brandt, Bob Haymes
- McGriff’s House Party
- Grits, Gravy and Groove
- Dishin’ the Dirt – Lonnie Smith
McCoy Tyner
On March 6, 2020, Alfred McCoy Tyner died aged 81. He was musician (piano), composer, bandleader, one of the most recognizable and influential figures in jazz history. He has recorded and performed with many famous musicians including John Coltrane, Art Blakey, Donald Byrd, George Benson, Art Farmer, Lou Donaldson, Benny Golson, Grant Green, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Milt Jackson, J.J. Jackson, Blue Mitchell, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, David Murray, Julian Priester, Sonny Rollins, Ron Carter, Al Foster, Avery Sharpe, Woody Shaw, Jackie McLean, Cecil McBee, Jack DeJohnette, Wayne Shorter, Sonny Stitt and Stanley Turrentine, As a leader he recorded 74 albums. Tyner was a “NEA Jazz Master” and a five-time “Grammy” winner.
George Benson: Goodies
In December 1968, “Verve” label released “Goodies”, the sixth George Benson album. It was recorded in November 1968, at “A&R Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Esmond Edwards.
Personnel:
- George Benson– vocals, guitar
- Paul Griffin– piano, celeste
- Bobby Lucas – harmonica
- Bob Cranshaw– electric bass
- Chuck Rainey– bass
- Jimmy Johnson, Jr. – drums
- Leo Morris– drums
- Jack Jennings – congas, vibraphone
- The Sweet Inspirations- vocals
- Arthur Clarke – tenor saxophone, flute
- George Marge – tenor saxophone, flute
- Clark Terry– trumpet
- Garnett Brown– trombone
- The Winston Collymore Strings arranged and conducted by Horace Ott
- Val Valentin– engineering director
- Don Hahn – engineer
- Barton Beneš – cover art
- Stephen Stuart – photography
- Del Shields – liner notes
Track listing:
All tracks by George Benson except where noted.
- I Remember Wes
- Carnival Joys
- (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman – Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Jerry Wexler
- That Lucky Old Sun – Beasley Smith, Haven Gillespie
- Julie
- Windmills of Your Mind – Michel Legrand, Alan and Marilyn Bergman
- Doobie, Doobie Blues
- Song for My Father – Horace Silver
- People Get Ready – Curtis Mayfield
Airto Moreira: Free
On October 24, 1972, “CTI” label released “Free”, the third Airto Moreira studio album. It was recorded March – April 1972, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Creed Taylor.
Personnel:
- Airto Moreira– vocals, percussion
- Flora Purim– vocals
- George Benson– guitar
- Jay Berliner– guitar
- Keith Jarrett– piano
- Nelson Ayres – electric piano
- Chick Corea– piano, electric piano
- Ron Carter– double bass
- Stanley Clarke– bass guitar
- Joe Farrell– soprano saxophone, alto and bass flutes, piccolo
- Burt Collins– trumpet, flugelhorn
- Mel Davis– trumpet, flugelhorn
- Alan Rubin– trumpet, flugelhorn
- Wayne Andre– trombone
- Garnett Brown– trombone
- Joe Wallace – trombone
- Hubert Laws– flute
- Don Sebesky– arranger
Track listing:
- Return to Forever – Chick Corea
- Flora’s Song – Flora Purim
- Free – Airto Moreira
- Lucky Southern – Keith Jarrett
- Creek (Arroio) – Victor Brazil
- So Tender – Keith Jarrett
- Jequié – Moacir Santos
Freddie Hubbard: Straight Life
In January 1971, “CTI” label released “Straight Life”, the nineteenth Freddie Hubbard album It was recorded on 16 November 1970, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, and was produced by Creed Taylor.
Personnel:
- Freddie Hubbard- trumpet, flugelhorn
- Joe Henderson- tenor saxophone
- Herbie Hancock- electric piano
- George Benson- guitar
- Weldon Irvine- tambourine
- Ron Carter- double bass
- Jack DeJohnette- drums
- Richard Landrum – drums, percussion
Track listing:
- Straight Life – Freddie Hubbard
- Clean – Weldon Irvine
- Here’s That Rainy Day – Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke
George Benson: Give Me The Night
On August 9, 1980, “Qwest Records” label released “Give Me The Night”, the 18th George Benson album. It was recorded in 1980, at “Kendun Recorders” in Burbank, and “Cherokee Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Quincy Jones. in 1981 Benson won “Grammy Awards” for “Best Male R&B Vocal Performance”, the track “Moody’s Mood” won “Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male” and track “Off Broadway” won “Best R&B Instrumental Performance”. Quincy Jones and Jerry Hey also won the “Grammy Award” for “Best Instrumental Arrangement” for the song “Dinorah, Dinorah”. The album was certified Platinum in US by the “RIIA”.
Personnel:
- George Benson– lead and backing vocals, guitar and lead guitar, scat
- Patti Austin – lead and backing vocals
- Lee Ritenour– acoustic and electric guitar
- Greg Phillinganes– keyboards, synthesizer, Fender Rhodes
- Michael Boddicker– synthesizer
- Richard Tee– synthesizer bass, electric piano, synthesizer
- Herbie Hancock– synthesizer, Fender Rhodes
- Clare Fischer– Yamaha CS30, acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes
- George Duke– keyboards
- Louis Johnson, Abe Laboriel– bass guitar
- John Robinson, Carlos Vega – drums
- Paulinho Da Costa– percussion
- Kim Hutchcroft, Larry Williams– saxophone, flute
- Jerry Hey– trumpet
- Marty Paich– string arrangements, conductor
- Sid Sharp – concertmaster
- Jim Gilstrap, Diva Gray, Jocelyn Allen, Tom Bahler– backing vocals
- Bruce Swedien – recording, mixing
- Sheridan Eldridge, Ralph Osbourne, Mark Sackett – engineer assistant
- Jim Sintetos, Kent Duncan – mastering
- Quincy Jones – liner notes
- Richard Seireeni – art direction
- Paul Jasmin – illustration
- Norman Seeff – cover photography
- Peter Brill – sleeve photography
- Anderson Typographics – typohraphics
Track listing:
All tracks by Rod Temperton except where noted.
- Love X Love
- Off Broadway
- Moody’s Mood – Eddie Jefferson, James Moody
- Give Me the Night
- What’s On Your Mind – Glen Ballard, Kerry Chater
- Dinorah, Dinorah – Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins
- Love Dance – ivan Lins, Gilson Peranzzetta, Paul Williams
- Star of a Story (X)
- Midnight Love Affair – David “Hawk” Wolinski
- Turn Out the Lamplight
George Benson: Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole
On June 4, 2013, “Concord Jazz” label released “Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole”, the 36 George Benson studio album. It was recorded in 2013, and was produced by John Burk.
Personnel:
- George Benson- vocals, guitar
- Tim May – guitar
- Michael O’Neill- baritone guitar, banjo
- Lil’ Georgie Benson- vocals, ukulele
- Randy Waldman- piano
- Chuck Berghofer- bass
- Gregg Field – drums
- Michael Fisher – percussion
- Sheila E.- percussion
- Wynton Marsalis– trumpet
- Till Brönner– trumpet
- Idina Menzel– vocals
- Judith Hill- vocals
- Janey Clewer, Alvin Chea, Don Chelton – background vocals
- Chris Papastephanou, Randy Waldman- backing vocals
Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra:
- Ryan Chapman, Chris Burbank, Gilbert Paz, Jared Hall – trumpet
- Chris Gagne, Kendall Moore, Stephen Szabadi, Major Bailey p trombone
- Neil Carson, Kevin McKeown – alto saxophone
- Mark Small, Alex Weitz – tenor saxophone
- Derek Smith – baritone saxophone
- Cassandra Eisenreich – flute
- Jon Anderson – French horn
- Steffen Zeichner (concertmaster and soloist), Abby Young, Adam Diderrich, Karin O’Keefe, Zack Piper, Michelle Godbee, Patricia Jancova, Tomas Cotik, Victor Colmenares, James Reynolds, Jonah Osawa, Rob Patrignani, Arianne Urban, Michelle Mlacker, Katrina Schaeffer – violin
- Robyn Savitzky, Kathryn Severing, Marcela Fernandez, Lauren Miller – viola
- Joy Adams, Cecilia Huerta, Andrew Kromholz, Chia-Li Yu, Sarah Gongaware – cello
- Rachel Hershey, Jeff Kipperman, Yen-Ling Lin – bass
- Christina Hardister – harp
- Shelton Berg – dean
- Terence Blanchard – artistic director
- Scott Flavin – artistic coordinator
- Stephen Guerra – managing director
Track listing:
- Mona Lisa – (as Lil’ Georgie Benson)
- Just One of Those Things – Cole Porter
- Unforgettable – Irving Gordon
- Walkin’ My Baby – Roy Turk, Fred E. Ahlert
- When I Fall in Love – Victor Young, Edward Heyman
- Route 66 – Bobby Troup
- Nature Boy – Eden Ahbez
- Ballerina – Carl Sigman, Bob Russell
- Smile – Charlie Chaplin, John Turner, Geoffrey Parsons
- Straighten Up and Fly Right – Nat King Cole, Irving Mills
- Too Young – Sidney Lippman, Sylvia Dee
- I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter – Joe Young, Fred E. Ahlert
- Mona Lisa – Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
George Benson: In Your Eyes
In May 1983, “Warner Bros” label released “In Your Eyes”, the 19th George Benson studio album. It was recorded in 1983, at “Atlantic Studios”, “The Hit Factory” and “The Record Plant” in New York City, “Music Grinder Studio” in Los Angeles, “United Westren” in Hollywood, and was produced by Arif Mardin and Kashif.
Personnel:
- George Benson – lead and backing vocals, guitar solo, rhythm guitar
- David Spinozza– guitar
- Paul Jackson, Jr.– rhythm guitar, guitar
- Ira Siegel – guitar
- Adam “Gus” Falcon – rhythm guitar, rhythm arrangement
- Robbie Buchanan– electric piano, synthesizer, Moog bass, rhythm arrangement, acoustic piano, Linn Drum programming
- Jorge Dalto– acoustic piano, electric piano
- Kashif– keyboards, Synclavier 2, synthesizer, Moog bass, drums, finger snaps, backing vocals, rhythm arrangement
- Greg Phillinganes– additional synthesizer
- Steve Porcaro– additional synthesizer
- David Paich– keyboards, synthesizer, arrangements, brass arrangement
- James Newton Howard– keyboards, synthesizer, arrangements, string arrangements
- Peter Cannarozzi – synthesizer
- Richard Tee– electric piano
- Joe Mardin – synthesizer programming
- Will Lee– bass guitar
- Nathan East– bass guitar
- Anthony Jackson– bass guitar
- Marcus Miller– bass guitar
- Steve Ferrone– drums
- Leslie Ming – drums
- Jeff Porcaro– drums
- Carlos Vega – drums
- Steve Gadd– drums
- Steve Jordan–drums
- Sammy Figueroa– percussion
- Bashiri Johnson– percussion
- Stephen Benben – finger snaps
- Lenny Castro– percussion
- David Sanborn– alto saxophone
- Michael Brecker– tenor saxophone
- Lew Delgatto – baritone saxophone
- Randy Brecker – trumpet, horn arrangement
- Jon Faddis– trumpet
- Alan Raph, Tom Malone– trombone
- Jerry Hey– flugelhorn, brass arrangement
- Marty Paich, Lee Holdridge– string arrangement
- Alfred Brown, Emanuel Vardi, Fred Zlotkin, Frederick Buldrini, Gerald Tarack, Guy Lumia, Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, Joe Malin, Jonathan Abramowitz, Julien Barber, Marilyn Wright, Richard Maximoff, Richard Young, Ted Hoyle – strings
- Endre Granat , Gene Orloff– concertmaster
- Arif Mardin– BGV arrangement, rhythm arrangement, string arrangement, synthesizer arrangement, horn arrangement
- Paul Lawrence Jones III – vocal arrangements
- Hamish Stuart– backing vocals, BGV arrangement
- J. Nelson, Brenda White King, Lillo Thomas, Vicki Randle– duet vocals
- Zachary Sanders, Chaka Khan, Diva Gray, Lani Groves, Robin Clark, Babi Floyd, Mark Stevens – backing vocals
- Jeremy Smith, Michael O’Reilly, Gary Skardinia – recording
- Michael O’Reilly – engineer assistant
- Stephen Benben, Randy Burns, Robert Feist – engineer assistants
- John Agallo, Danny Caccavo, Bill Dooley, Jay Messina and Bobby Warner – additional recording
- Jeremy Smith, Michael O’Reilly – mixing
- Jeremy Smith, Michael O’Reilly, Dan Nash – post tracking
- Stephen Benben, Julie Last – tracking assistant
- George Marino – mastering
- Chrissy Allerdings, Frank De Caro, Lu Sneed – project coordination
- Simon Levy – art direction
- Laura Li Puma – design
- Jean Pagliusso – photography
Track listing:
- Feel Like Making Love – Eugene McDaniels
- Inside Love (So Personal) – Kashif
- Lady Love Me (One More Time) – David Paich, James Newton Howard
- Love Will Come Again – Arif Mardin, Hamish Stuart
- In Your Eyes – Dan Hill, Michael Masser
- Never Too Far to Fall – Hamish Stuart, Ned Doheny
- Being With You – Omar Hakim
- Use Me – James Ingram, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
- Late at Night – Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
- In Search of a Dream – Adam Falcon
Al Jarreau
On February 12, 2017, Alwin Lopez “Al” Jarreau died aged 76. He was musician (percussion) and singer, with successful solo career, has recorded and performed with many famous musicians and bands including: Joe Sample, Chick Corea, Kathleen Battle, Miles Davis, David Sanborn Rick Braun, George Benson, Freddie Hubbard, Sister Sledge, Bob James, Shakatak, Lee Ritenour, Benny Golson and Quincy Jones. In 1991 Jarreau was awarded the “Honorary Doctorate of Music” by “Berklee College of Music”; in 2001 he was inducted in the “Hollywood Walk of Fame”; in 2004 he was awarded “Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts” by “University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee”, and in 2012 he was inducted in the “SoulMusic Hall of Fame at SoulMusic.com”. Jarreau won seven “Grammy Awards”.
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