George Benson-Newport Jazz Fest 1966

Vintage, rare footage of this jazz guitar titan. Enjoy!

[@davidbirks7166]

I was 16 in 1966. I played guitar when I was 12 then, put the guitar away in favor of playing sports. Picked it back up when I was 15 and am still playing today. Boy... Am I glad I didn't see this in 1966. I might've called it quits!!! He is my favorite guitarist and is always a great source of inspiration. I mean, just to get close sometimes.....

[@brianstavert5678]

There are about a dozen truly great jazz guitarists but George is by far my favourite.

[@steelcitytbirds]

Every time I think he’s gonna zig, he zags and it’s perfect.

[@tonydejesus2134]

Unequaled greatness, possibly the greatest soloist in the history of the instrument. Apropos of nothing, I’ve never seen a guitarist who messes with his volume and tone knobs more frequently than Benson.

[@OneFlewOver1776]

yeah because he has ADD..

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Just a theory, but I think Benson is concerned with his arch-top feeding back and causing distortion. If you play jazz on that type of instrument - yeah, that's me, been there done that - they will feed back if you turn up the volume too much. Many guys stuff some foam into the sound holes to dampen the feedback or have a guitar tech install a "sound post," which is another fix for that issue. Benson later moved to playing an Ibanez which was a bit more of a hybrid in terms of being an arch-top hollow-body since I don't think it had a solid top but was partly laminated. Either way, regardless of instrument, Benson was on fire during this gig wasn't he?!

[@diment0857]

This is a real gem, filmed at the Newport Jazz Festival on July 2, 1966. Beside Benson who plays a beautiful Gibson Super 400 and is constantly fiddling with the knobs in search of the perfect killer tone, on Hammond B3 duties we can see a very young Lonnie Smith who passed away just recently (RIP) and an even younger Ronnie Cuber on bari sax performing a take-no-prisoners blues. As far as cinematography is concerned, this is on a par with Bert Stern's fabulous Jazz On A Summer's Day, musicians and audience are hipper than hip and beautifully filmed and edited throughout and the groove vibe is in the air and almost palpable. But this is 1966, just a year before the Summer Of Love and the Monterey Festival where things would take a different course musically. Priceless stuff, thanks for posting.

[@Cheebasonic]

Lonnie Smith was a legend and a gent !

[@DavidleeBergeron]

He was adjusting for each phrase!! Amazing!

[@alanoffer]

That’s about as hip as it gets

[@deloresrobertson3372]

Was this Newport Beach, CA...dee

[@stuartweissman7306]

great comments, ty. oh, and i so want that Super 400, even if i had to adjust the tone.

[@vabez00]

He was still 23 and yet this is an absolute gem of a masterclass in groove

[@MrLgrichard]

Big thanks to whomever posted this video. I thoroughly enjoyed it .. was awesome ..

[@ananyaraj8951]

I had played too many solos of George Benson and I was amazed to know his style it was an golden era in Jazz

[@hoisin75]

unreal talent then and now

[@Benbutlermusic]

This tune is on The George Benson Cookbook- it’s called Benson’s Rider. You can even hear some of the same licks- but of course this live version is burning!

[@joedenisco6033]

One of the true Masters of my lifetime. That Super400 sounds great with some hair on it! George Benson. Extraordinary!

[@onceuponascale]

He already had his amazing chops! Let's remenber, this was a time where there was no internet. So to get to that level was even more special.

[@GordiansKnotHere]

That combination of Benson's playing and that beautiful Gibson is about as close to heaven as one can get on earth... Beautiful!

[@chrisofficer4292]

I think that is a Super 500 - I played one of these models before owned by Mel Brown - guitar player for Bobby Blue Bland. It is a very physically large instrument - great tone - super cool.

[@ГенералМбумба]

Dr. Lonnie Smith on "Hammond B3" !

[@outermarker5801]

Here from the Beato interview. 😀 I first really got into GB with his massive vocal era, but nice to see the young George he spoke about in that wonderful interview. He _always_ 'sang' melodies from his head to his fingers just as he said.

[@TheGregory1967]

This is the GB I cherish. The man could shred. The latter material was popular and probably got him paid but his early work….whew!

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

I just wish the man had played a few more jazz dates here-and-there once he had hit the big time. His pop hits are pleasing enough, but to hear him burn through some jazz is just too cool for words! I tried for years to catch him sitting in with Lou Donaldson, but no luck. That man was tough to pin down....

[@TheGregory1967]

@@GeorgiaBoy1961 gotta make that "dough ray me"! I've never seen him live either but have been fortunate to catch a plethora of fine axemen, ( Stanley Jordan being one who particularly stands out). GB is a pioneer and legend who conveys some kool memories and stories when interviewed. # Elite and groundbreaking player...

[@dextershumba7262]

for me that show he did with McCoy Tyner is so special. His playing on "Round Midnight" is incredible!

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

@@dextershumba7262 - Yeah, that was a good one, wasn't it? When he's on his game, Benson is very very special.

[@dextershumba7262]

@GeorgiaBoy1961 Indeed

[@philipatoz]

I FAR prefer early Benson than his later, mega-popular stuff. But when he was playing pure blues and jazz - that's GB at his finest. When this was shot, George was like the new wonder kid / upstart - as the jazz guitarists of the day were still under the giant shadow of Wes Montgomery - in fact, this was recorded about two years before Wes passed away. And the organ stuff is a perfect contrast and counterpoint. Thank God it was put on film!

[@valentinexyz]

So few people that I know actually know THIS 'version' of George Benson! Brilliant.

[@brianj4090]

Good lord that sounds incredible. That tempo is moving right along and is pretty rare to hear someone bring that hard that fast. Benson plays it as good as anyone I’ve heard including Wes.

[@corcoransullivan1562]

Has so much feels AND the chops! Unreal talent

[@keysersoze2k1]

HUGE!!! He was a baby!!! So extraordinary, so beautiful. Music like this makes my heart; just happy.

[@l1585]

he was much younger when he released his first song in 1954 titled "she makes me mad"

[@johnnylikestobatman]

Fantastic.. Hard to believe George still improved so much after this. My all time favorite musician

[@paulburchell1762]

Sounding freaking awesome George...x. love his chops

[@r.a.fiallos234]

No one was playing guitar like this at that time. True virtuoso. Blown away by his facility with the instrument at this young stage of his career. His funky phrasing …my goodness. Definite influence from Grant Green and the great organists of the era.

[@moosic2i]

I love the variation in tone, distortion and volume as George is searchin for the perfect balance.

[@glen7695]

I got to see him Benson in a small club in 1972. Simply amazing. His voice is so strong that he didn't even sing in the microphone.

[@jorgemauriciomercado288]

Wes was alive at that time !!

[@r.a.fiallos234]

@@jorgemauriciomercado288 yes of course, and he was amazing and hugely influential for Benson as well. But just like Wes elevated the instrument, so did Benson. Another icon that elevated jazz guitar at the time was Pat Martino.

[@donmilland7606]

yeah

[@jellison7]

You all are very welcome! I am so glad that you appreciated this fine performance. I will be on the lookout for more!

[@englishguy9680]

Could you tell me the name of this piece he’s playing please?

[@jazznbluessinger]

Incredible guitarist! ❤

[@pierrechaouat]

I saw him playing this very theme in Paris in 1969. The concert featured K. Burrell. B. Kessel and G. Green. GB was playing as first part of the show. The audience was stunned. Unforgettable...

[@robertoshidokan]

ahhh, this is the George Benson I remember. Also found on the album George Benson Cookbook. With Gene Taylor, Lonnie Smith (at first I thought it was JImmy Smith on the organ), Billy Kay and Ronnie Cuber. This KZbin video is so hot I think it just melted my computer!

[@raphaelzombie2]

Its Uptown also has great tracks !! Clockwise is one of my favorites

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Cuber was a vital component.

[@marshallsobin4879]

George great, but WES YOUR MENTOR USED HIS THUMB….. who was the bari player,JERRY MULLIGAN?

[@Hexspa]

This is insane even by today's standards

[@bobboberson2024]

At 23 he's very particular with his sound - the constant knob adjusting. AND you see where his voicing originates: a dynamic attack, blues infusion, style. What a treasure to guitar.

[@johnlane2010]

Amazing video footage- and the sound is good too. This is a real gem- thanks for posting! GB is, of course, one of my all time favorites.

[@leoquesto9183]

He was already awesome but there were many amazing players then of course - Pat Martino, John McLaughlin, to name just two.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

A Fender Bassman, nice choice George, this is a wonderful historical document, certainly but it sounds so fresh and hip, timeless

[@Unmoved12345]

Why doesn't this clip have 10,000,000 views?

[@patbrennan6572]

Those numbers belong to Bieber and the Kardashians. go figure.

[@lordmccormick4792]

I endorse this message! I’m see seeing this man live in two weeks! In 🇬🇧! He’s 80 years old Wanna talk legends!? Let’s talk….

[@allakirichenko3022]

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO SOMEONE WHO RECORDED AND PUT IT HERE TODAY. THIS FESTIVAL IS EPIC.

[@alainsalemi6049]

Il était déjà le patron du jazz rock

[@Keyboardman88]

Little did anyone know, that around 10 years later. George Benson would have a record that would set the music world on fire.

[@musicavariada6975]

What Is a Disc?

[@ChristienGagnier]

amazing tone

[@ChrisPetrocchi]

Not a note out of place. Just amazing

[@jimmymurphy7789]

WOW !!! Truly the "Mohammed Ali Champ" of the Jazz Guitar - even way back in 1966. Thanks for posting.😀

[@timothylawson3262]

And to think this is two years before the great West Montgomery passed, whould have been a blast seeing the two on stage together.

[@caprise-music6722]

Great sound! Epic video P.S he’s THIS good in 1966.. No wonder he’s an absolute monster in mid 1970’s on albums like Breezin’ , Bad Benson etc etc

[@kenforte8858]

For all of you dropping names of other artists who may have influenced George, Thanks. I grew up listening to soul and Funk of the 70’s. I listened to GB, Grover, Joe Sample etc, but am still making many jazz and blues discoveries. So when you say, “hey listen to this guy,” others of us will benefit because we will go listen. I play piano, and I have a chance to learn so much now from KZbin, so keep those recommendations coming. They may irritate a few,(although I can’t imagine why) but we all benefit in the long run.

[@terencesommer5413]

I love the 'George Benson Cookbook'. I also love jazz organ during the cool 60's period.

[@peteandrews7169]

Great footage, young George Benson burning it up on that mid 60's Gibson Super 400, and fantastic group, Ronnie Cuber, & Lonnie Smith on the Hammond!

[@TimNelson]

Wow! Hugely important film, this. Consider how advanced George’s ideas were at this time. *Nobody* had comparable chops for another 20 or more years.

[@fusionfan6883]

Totally agree - sweep picking amongst other things! And George created a perfect fusing of bebop, soul and blues which is unmatched to this day.

[@stevesilverman5296]

@@fusionfan6883 There was this other kid, a year younger and not quite as funky, but nonetheless, right there with him in the chops department. George is from Pittsburgh, this other guy is from Philly but when George heard him for the first time, they were both in NY. His comment was, "just how good do you have to be to make it in NY?" Perhaps you've heard of him, his name is Pat Martino.

[@fusionfan6883]

I'm a huge Martino fan and respect his fight back to fitness after his brain surgery, but he lacks the variety of phrasing and down right soulfulness of George to my mind.

[@electric8668]

Tim Nelson Maybe but have you heard Grant Green?

[@xxczerxx]

I think Joe Pass could keep up with Benson, listen to his early 60s albums with Pacific Records.

[@Courageexpert]

This is so fabulous. What a special experience to have been there. I saw him in the late 80s.

[@jipes]

Such a natural and perfect swing it's stunning ! The Cookbook is a wonderful recording

[@Keil253]

Watching him feel it in his body... such an incredible talent

[@daisypom1]

Amazing! I don't think enough credit has been given George Benson, he has a fine voice too, just love him!

[@scottanderson6807]

I’ve never seen anybody mess with the knobs on their guitar more than this. Also, GB is a master.

[@pandorski35000]

it's almost a OCD

[@menriquez89]

I suppose he wasn’t happy with his tone?

[@Picnuts]

OCD??? I don't know, but it works!!!

[@danieldesjardins6615]

Carlos Santana is a serious competitor in that domain!

[@agomodern]

You can tell how he changes his technique after turning the knob. He knows exactly the sound he wants out of the guitar at any given moment.

[@allakirichenko3022]

YES HE WAS AND IS BEST GUITARIST ON THIS PLANET.

[@davedoyle9623]

George was knockin it down at this level at 23 years of age. What ax was he playing? You tell me . He could make a guitar from Sears and Roebuck sound good. Thanks you George, you showed us how its done.

[@pinsk94]

Gibson Super 400.

[@YohoKnows]

This is so fucking cool. It’s crazy getting to see George play straight ahead jazz.

[@jimmieyoung4865]

Benson thru a big hollow body gibson thru a blackface twin thru 2 2x12 cabinets! TONE BABY!

[@MrBrutus139]

Georgies got it goin on here baby! The whole combo is smoking!! I love the slightly overdriven tone George gets here!!!

[@WorldwidewelcomE]

1000 THANKS 2 U 4 SHARING - THIS GREAT GUITAR- PLAYER of WORLD-CLASS and His FANTASTIC ORCH !!!

[@DadPhone-vr7oq]

What a groove!

[@wesleythomas4819]

George has been great for a long time!😁

[@Bennyplays]

Incredible footage! Thank you for sharing this. A "holy grail" clip for George Benson and jazz guitar fans!

[@frederickjmillerjr2830]

Such a cool performance by these cats, and GB working the knobs on that Super 400 like he means to find every little piece of badass tone that guitar has in it. A really inspirational piece and I'm sure I'll be borrowing licks off of this for a long time. Thanks, man! Blues cats everywhere are diggin' this.

[@spb7883]

Not to take away from your comment, but I think what Benson is doing with the knobs has more to do with volume and making sure he doesn’t feed back.

[@menriquez89]

@@spb7883 ahhhh that’s why it’s so crunchy right at the beginning.

[@harveydents]

@@menriquez89 Yeah 60s fender amps had a tendency to crunch up if you werent careful, ESPICALLY with a hollowbody.

[@thespianist]

Wow! I had no idea George was performing that yearly! I'm much more familiar with his 70s and 80s work.

[@elmoredneal5382]

Wow! 😮 What an amazing and historic performance! 👏 It must have been incredible to see this live in person

[@philipcramer940]

You could really see see how raw George's playing was at this stage of his career. He had only been playing this style a couple years at this point. Before that he was been playing in R&B bands in bars, small clubs and juke joints. In this particular video you can hear it and see it. He hadn't developed his signature sound yet. Ten years later he was selling 10's of millions of albums. The "Breezing" album is quintessential George Benson but I dig this stuff much more.This is an incredible clip.

[@jackturner3721]

Raw GB❤

[@electriccampfire]

Couldn't resist working that line out at 3.00 :) George Benson Line - Video Notebook #01 I think I've played this video about a thousand times now :) Thanks for uploading it!

[@jellison7]

Mike, you are welcome-- a ton of great guitar lines in this performance!

[@splashified7045]

Such a cool sounding line! He plays pretty much the same line (ends differently though) but slower at about 1:40 on ain't that peculiar if you want to get a more detailed listen of it :)

[@electriccampfire]

***** Ah! Thought I'd heard it before! Love this album. Thanks :)

[@MusicandmoreNl078]

Amazing stuff, thanks for sharing! Cookin' all over with these young cats. Love Dr lonnie's playing and of course incredible what George is doing. Ronnie is also spot on!

[@City2x]

Thanks for confirming my suspicion that that was indeed Dr Lonnie.

[@dazzjazz]

Don’t forget how killing Dr Lonnie Smith is here. So percussive and deep in the pocket. He hadn’t been playing very long either. He was definitely born to play the Hammond B3. RIP.

[@moosic2i]

Wow, that tone, that groove.

[@johnsonolalekan7853]

The great and legendary Benson 🙌 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ ever unique and master of his craft 🙌 🎸🎸🎸🎸🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@loveone4292]

This is why i love KZbin

[@felixkcl]

The real gem happens in 3'40"~ Love the cam man

[@joe-k4x]

Such a talent, it's amazing, and he never sang a note (yet)! I love his voice too, especially when he scats to his guitar licks. Pure genius.

[@andybaldman]

Amazing he’s only 23 here, and he still sounds like George Benson. He found his voice early.

[@bobgure]

Thank you!! Not enough words…!

[@guitarttimman]

People kid themselves. A jazz virtuoso of jazz can play anything even today's shred.

[@DonDeering]

I don't think that's even a compliment. You play what you feel.

[@guitarttimman]

@@DonDeering lol but nm

[@lukewilliamsactual3691]

Benson's cranking that Fender Showman amp. According to an interview, Wes Montgomery was using one the first time George saw him. He said he was impressed with the amp. (As well as with Wes, of course!)

[@EleazarOctavioRuizSpreafico]

This is such a gem

[@cerrem1]

Very much enjoyed this performance... Thanks for posting it.... George's Bassman amp sounds like JBL D120 speakers in that box :)

[@meesterbenja]

This is great! I hope someone eventually digs up the Grant Green footage from the same festival.

[@Keyboardman88]

Someone did. no video, just pictures.

[@edcherry9282]

Kenny burrell was there too I think.. I would love to see another song from this set..

[@meesterbenja]

@@edcherry9282 As do I, Ed.

[@robertbuilder8001]

Superb. Thanks for sharing this.

[@maracanazinha]

what a benson's rider!!!!! thanks for sharing it's a piece of art!!!!

[@kbkesq]

Meanwhile all the dorks were saying eric Clapton was god. George benson was thousand miles ahead of Clapton and Hendrix. Hendrix was innovative and drugged out so it resonated but for pure amazing guitar George was overlooked.

[@Guitfiddlejase]

It's the "Cookbook" band! Lonnie Smith...Ronnie Cuber.. I am embarrassed to say I can't remember the name of this tune-but it is indeed from "Cookbook".. Thanks so much for posting this! What a treat!

[@AviaodePapel]

I think it's called "Benson's Rider".

[@mcigraff]

everybody on that stage is incredible. This vid is great I hear the perfect amount of blues mixed with just the right amount of jazz for my tastes. Damn is is great.

[@TheRealJohnEQuantum]

His Birthday was yesterday and he is 81 and still playing. I hope I am still able to play at 81

[@SirTwangabangalot]

Benson’s best era for me and this vid is a godsend. The two albums he did with this Lonnie Smith line up are absolutely burning records. Essential for any guitarist who’s into Jazz.

[@Picnuts]

He sure as hell deserved that standing ovation, damn that's sweet...

[@JDCullum]

Faaaack, just so choice. Love it at 5:48 when they drop out for a sec.

[@KifleTewelde-f1l]

Great master guitarist.

[@JanLarsenFredriksen]

Thaaaaank you. Wow, just great and so raw and fresh in the best sense. Very inspiring indeed.

[@gilparrisgp]

Yes ! I have the Audio...but, it is just great to see it ! (More Please!)

[@jellison7]

Gil Parris! I just purchased your "50 Smooth Jazz Guitar Licks". I find it a masterful treasure trove of guitar lines that will keep me musically busy! Thanks for the comment on the GB that I posted--he certainly goes "outside" the blues scale on a few bars (as you duly covered in your course) & it is great to see him perform from this era.Again..many thanks :)

[@gilparrisgp]

JR Ellison Mighty kind of ya...let me know if you have any questions and thanks for the kind words. gp nyc

[@colettegilewicz8194]

George Benson-guitar; Lonnie Smith-organ; Ronnie Cuber-baritone saxophone; Billy Kaye-drums.

[@toninoporti9225]

Fantasticoooooo!! E fantasticiiiiii!! 🎸

[@KenLongTortoise]

this kid has potential, if he stays with it he might make it on to the Rolling Stone best 1000 guitarists of lal time. i mean clearly not top 250 material yet

[@drummondrick7]

Although greatly influenced by Wes (and which guitarist wasn’t??!) GB had his own distinct sound very early on… great to see footage of drummer Billy Kaye

[@rwyatt26]

Wes Montgomery George Benson Grant Green Kenny Burrell Barney Kassel Jimmy Ponder Melvin Sparks John Abercrombie Some of the baddest to play jazz guitar!!

[@frankdavino7187]

That lick 3:00 to 3:05 awww man !....❤

[@streammyvideo5739]

Big GB Fan, thanks for uploading classic footage!

[@OrdinaryNimda]

Oooo this is fantastic, including all of the band!

[@jean-lucbersou758]

.Birth of a Legend !... Kyrie...Ellison !..Kyrie...Benson ! Thanks for this precious testimony .And listen to the same team of fabulous musicians on "the shadow of your smile"...a piece of anthology !!