Coming up in September, the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival will pay tribute to a Pittsburgh original , George Benson in a project led by guitarist Dan Wilson with special guest Jonathan Butler.
We harken back to a visit with had with Master Benson last summer, on the release of a 1989 project with arranger and conductor Robert Farnon and the London Symphony Orchestra - a project that was lost for 30 years and brought back to George after a serendipitous discovery and a semi-tractor trailer. There’s a quite a Story to all that - and also, a connection with a young Jon Bon Jovi!
We also talked with George about his time in the Hill, his experiences at Connelley Vocational High School - on Bedford Avenue, was just across the street from his house. And, George repeats his love for Pittsburgh and how important the City and his friends and connections in the Burgh were so important to him in his life, to this day. He also corrected the record of his academic record - there are documents that say he went to Schenley High, but it was Connelley - and it was 27 years after leaving that he finally got his diploma!
We also remember two jazz artists who passed in the last week.
Pianist Hal Galper, who worked with his own groups and many notables including Phil Woods and Cannonball Adderley. John Scofield, Chet Baker and more. He was 87.
Trumpeter / Flugelhorn star Chuck Mangione - whose jazz/pop stardom fill the airwaves of radio around the world around the same time that George Benson. Before his superstar career, he worked with the big bands of Woody Herman and Maynard Ferguson. He was also an Art Blakey “Jazz Messenger.”
The Scene - an hourlong radio show - Thursday night at 6, Friday and Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 on WZUM
George Benson’s first release as a leader, 1964
Scott Hanley and George Benson, 1996, credit Robert Bowman
Rick Beato has created a wildly successful YouTube channel which has brought a fresh look to pop music in the modern world - and also exposed many people to the important of jazz as a part of the American musical experience. He’s a fine guitarist and teacher, and an especially good interviewer of people in music - with some great visits with Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny and - George Benson!