George Benson (saxophonist)

George "Sax" Benson (February 26, 1929 – March 9, 2019) was a Detroit-based jazz alto and tenor saxophonist, session musician^[1] and educator.

Biography[]

As a session musician he appeared on several Motown sessions in the 1960s, particularly with Marvin Gaye.

In 1983 he recorded with JC Heard on Heard's first album as leader since 1958, with pianist Claude Black and Canadian bassist Dave Young. Benson would co-lead an album with Heard in 1988.

In 1988, he received the "National Association of Jazz Educators' Outstanding Service to Jazz Education" Award.

He died on March 9, 2019.^[2]

Discography[]

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[]

• Jazz Etudes Over Classic Jazz Changes (Houston Publishing)

References[]

External links[]

• Official website