Benson’s breezy promise to hit-hungry fans

LEGENDARY jazz guitarist George Benson has promised fans will not be disappointed at his shows this weekend.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of his performances at GrandWest tonight and tomorrow, Benson said, “There are things I know that people come to hear. It’s very disappointing to go to a show and not hear them. So I will bring those essentials with me.”

Benson, 73, last performed in Cape Town in 2010, at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, where he shared the stage with another legend, Hugh Masekela.

“I never thought I’d be on stage with Hugh Masekela. When I came here to perform with him, it was a unique moment in my life and I really appreciate it. He was a very fun guy when he was 23 years old and still is. Music to him is how it is to me. It’s something that we love to do. When he plays he makes me listen. I want to grab my guitar and join him,” he said.

The 10-time Grammy Award winner began his career when at 10 when he recorded the single, She Makes Me Mad, as Little Georgie.

A diehard Benson fan, Richard Saddington, 61, also attended the press conference in order to meet his hero.

He said he has been a fan since 1976 when Benson released his album Breezin which went triple platinum.

Saddington said his fondest memory was attending Benson’s first Cape Town concert in 1984 at the Good Hope Centre, when a ticket cost R25.

“Back then we didn’t have smartphones, so people who had a lighter or match lit it during the performance. Benson is an amazing artist. I hope he will continue to produce good music for the years to come,” said Saddington.

George Benson