Q&A: George Benson

September 5th, 2008

The Grammy Award-winning jazz musician, songwriter, guitarist and singer stops off in Bangkok along with fellow music legend Al Jarreau as part of their world tour.

What made you decide to work with Al Jarreau?
We both ended up going back to the same record company. The first thing they asked was if I wanted to work with Al and I said yes! Of course we had to get together to decide on a lot of things, like the direction we were going to take it, because there are so many options to explore.

What can we expect from your joint concert?
We are going to bring all the hits with us. We have a lot of records that we know the Bangkok audience will enjoy.

Explain the title of your last album Givin’ It Up?
Givin’ It Up is like saying, “Whatever you got, I wanna hear it!” Basically, don’t hold anything back!

What’s it like being George Benson?
I have been an entertainer since I was a little boy. When I was seven, I worked at a nightclub. I sang, danced and played the ukulele, my hands were too small for guitar back then. I was always a singer. Years later, I became George Benson the guitar player and people in my hometown didn’t accept me. It wasn’t only after my career swung back into singing that they started to be impressed by my guitar playing.

Do you consider yourself a musician or a performer?
I’m all of that! Call me a musician, an entertainer or a pop/R&B artist—it all applies.

How often do you practice?
I live with my guitar. I plug it in every single day. I have it strategically located around my house so wherever I sit down, it’s within arms’ reach. So I pick it up and do things I have never done before. I don’t want to play what I did ten years ago. I might play the same songs, but I always have something to add to it. I’m learning something new everyday. Don’t you think we all should?

Excited about Bangkok?
Really excited. I haven’t been to Bangkok in a few years, and I don’t like that, it’s been too long! I don’t really know why I haven’t been back before, all I know is my career suddenly started going uphill again and people started calling me from all over the world. I’m glad to be coming back. Just don’t wait so long to call us the next time.