George Benson Ensemble

Classes for Instrumentalists, Instrumental Ensemble

A class focusing on the music of the legendary jazz guitarist George Benson. The ensemble will feature drums, bass, B-3 organ, bari sax, and guitar. Emphasis will be on the early years of Benson’s career, including the records “The New Boss Guitar of George Benson”, “It’s Uptown”, and “The George Benson Cookbook.” In addition to performing Benson’s compositions, students will also perform Benson’s solo transcriptions with an analytical emphasis on his tone, touch, musical vocabulary, and phrasing.