Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards

Artists Quotes
Read what George Benson's Colleagues and friends are saying.

The 1st Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards will pay tribute to one of the biggest pioneers in the Smooth Jazz genre - George Benson. The guitar legend will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award. Each subsequent year a different trendsetter in the world of Smooth Jazz will receive the same award.

	"George, you truly are one of the great musicians of our time. You have inspired me and many other guitar players. Rock on!" - Peter White
	"When the roll is taken of the greatest guitar players that ever lived, George Benson's name will be at or near the top of the list." - Ramsey Lewis

"He is one of the truly great jazz guitarists of our generation. He has the ideal combination of effortless technique, unique sound, and soulful expression."
- Bob James

"I got into George when I was a kid, the CTI years. Man, one of THE best jazz players ever! His flowing notes and musicality are mind blowing. And then I heard him SING! Jeez, is there anything this cat can't do! A true gentleman as well!" - Steve Lukather of Toto
"George is simply the real deal. Not only did his album "Breezin'" change the course of Jazz it influenced a generation of musicians in a dramatic fashion .That was the beginning of Smooth Jazz. Working with George is incredibly inspiring and always reminds me of why I got into producing. I love the man." - Paul Brown	"To have recorded with (even placed a song on an album of) George Benson was a career defining moment for me. But more than that, as one who pursues my instrument with passion, I marveled at what he did there in the studio when he wasn't recording. PRACTICED CONTINUALLY!" - Kirk Whalum
"George Benson is simply put, one of the greatest musicians and entertainers of the last century. He is one of a handful of individuals who truly defy categorization. His technical and musical abilities are exceptional as well as unique his love of all types of music is obvious in everything he does." - Earl Klugh

" Back in the 70's, I was taken by the artistry and skill of George Benson. I bought his album "Breezin'" and loved his renditions of "On Broadway" and of course "Masquerade". I soon began to incorporate that style in a few of my own songs, thanks to George. He has always been a top notch performer who was able to be a great guitarist and still appeal to listeners of all genres. He's a real master."
- Phil Keaggy

"George has been such an inspiration to so many musicians over the years. His crossover appeal from jazz to pop has been unprecedented."
- Dave Love, President, Heads Up International

"George Benson served as a model to me and I think most of us not exactly in the notes that he plays but in the way that he's maintained a career for 40 years and he never compromised artistically. He reaches such a broad audience worldwide and that makes it easier for all of us Jazz guitar players."
- Jake Langley

"George Benson's music reflects the heights and depths of human emotion from the melancholy of "This Masquerade," to the rhythmically hypnotic "Breezin." Benson's work has painted a spectrum of music on the canvas of our hearts."
- Alfonzo Blackwell

"George, haven't seen you since Cinncinatti when you played my Benedetto guitar for an impromptu performance. It was an honour to meet you. What a sickening natural ability you have for swing and groove - not to mention those blistering bop lines. It's simply not fair! Here's to many more inspired performances and recordings from you in the future - for purely selfish reasons frankly - I'm looking for more phrases to steal!"
- Chris Standring

"George Benson is a guitar phenomenon equaled only by Django Reinhart and Wes Montgomery. Nobody today can play like George Benson and I know because I'm among the many who have tried. Congratulations to George for this award." - John Scofield

"George and I shared the stage at the Coors amphitheater in Denver and when we met backstage after the show I was so delighted to find out what a great guy he is. Musically there is nobody like him..he is an original...he is an innovator....he is George Benson." - Michael Lington

"Each generation has had a defining jazz guitarist. It's like a royal lineage from Charlie Christian to Wes Montgomery to "the guy" for our time, George Benson. He's the best there is and every time I hear him he gets better. Thanks for the inspiration and all the great music over the years and congratulations on this award." - Thom Rotella

"George and I go back over 30 years as friends. I've known him since the '60's of course, since he was one of my all time favorite guitarists then, and still is. I recall his playing with Brother Jack (McDuff) with the inimitable Joe Dukes." - John McLaughlin

"As original as George is with his music and his performing, he's just as original when it comes to sitting down and chatting. He might forget he's got an interview with you, so you just go find him at the pool bar. Once you get him talkin', it's priceless." - Art Good / Jazztrax

"George Benson's extraordinary talent as a jazz guitarist and the versatility he has displayed throughout his career has been a real inspiration for instrumental artists such as myself. Congratulations on this well deserved lifetime achievement award." - Jim Brickman

"Sincere congratulations to not only a great guitarist but a wonderful musician." - Eric Johnson

"George Benson is without a doubt the pre-eminent guitarist of our day. He combines the jazz mastery and legacy of Wes Montgomery and Charlie Christian with a pop sensibility that could only belong to one of the great pop singers of the last 3 decades. From the moment I heard him play when I was 16 years old up to and including today he is one of the major musical influences on my guitar playing and musicianship in general. George; You are the man!" - Chuck Loeb

" George Benson is the guitar player's guitar player. George Benson's playing has been one of the greatest inspirations for me as a guitarist" When I first heard " This Masquerade" I left my girl friend to go buy the record. George, you deserve this and much more... You have been the standard all modern guitarists aspire to be... I have seen you on so many occasions I can't count them... When I met you at America's jazz fest 2003 in D.C. I said to myself I have just touched the hand of the greatest guitar player alive... I thank you for all the years of great music and I know that you still have a lot more great things to do and I will just sit and wait for the greatest to happen."
- Nick Colionne

"The baton was passed from Charlie Christian to Wes Montgomery to George Benson, who still has it."
- Jeff Golub

"I was waiting to hear it. As a young musician I heard the sound vaguely in my head but it was raw and undefined. I knew that what I wanted to hear had deep straight-ahead jazz roots and at the same time was modern, funky and soulful. Then I heard George Benson and there it was everything I had been waiting for. Before I had "officially" decided to become a guitar player, George Benson was playing at a nearby club. I was waiting on tables at the time and couldn't afford a ticket. It was pouring rain so I ducked under an awning and peered through the crack in the door. Luckily Mr. Benson was in my direct line of sight. Two exhilarating hours later, I didn't know it, but the seeds of my future had been firmly planted that night." - Joyce Cooling

"In the English dictionary the definition of the word hip, hipper and hippest
should read: George Benson!! His musicianship plays an integral chord in
the Key of Smooth! You've inspired me to keep groovin' George." - Nura

"I'm a longtime fan and appreciate your influence on my music career. Your 20/20 album had an impact on me with great songs and production on par with your signature guitar and vocals. It was very contemporary with jazz and pop influences that set a high standard that I try to achieve with my music. Congratulations George, on your Lifetime Achievement Award! Well Done!"
- Paul Taylor

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"One of the great guitarists of all time, an instantly recognizable player, soulful, expressive, great chops and he sings too!" I really got into George during his CTI period both as a leader and a sideman. One of my favorite albums is "Bad Benson" especially the track "My Latin Brother" which I used to cover with my group way back when. "Beyond the Blue Horizon", "White Rabbit" and "Benson & Farrell" are great albums too. I also loved his playing on the Freddie Hubbard album "First Light" and I remember transcribing his solo on the title track back in my school days. "Congratulations on the lifetime achievement award George; your music has brought great joy to musician's
and music fans the world over." - Brian Hughes

"The first time I heard him was at the Bottom Line in NYC. My father took me when I was about 16. He was absolutely amazing! I wasn't into 'jazz' yet, but his mastery of the guitar was astounding! There was no singing at the time...that would come later. Some years later, when Special EFX was on the same festival as Benson, in Detroit, I got to meet him at soundcheck. I remember that he was instantly friendly and gracious, and humorous standing there saying hello to me, and complimenting ME on my abilities, while noodling on his jazzbox. That 'noodling' was beyond anything I could possibly do on the guitar, even today! That's how talented Benson is! His goofing around on the guitar is in the stratosphere of 6 string heaven! All in all I've loved his work, through all the different musical periods." - Chieli Minucci

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