Jazz artist George Benson to perform at Jakarta hotel

JAKARTA (JP): Jazz lovers craving a performance from a world- class artist can rejoice, for on Thursday evening they have the opportunity to see veteran jazz musician George Benson.

That is if they have managed to secure tickets.

Benson and his band of six musicians will perform in the ballroom of the Mulia Senayan hotel in Jakarta at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Playing mostly hits from his 1999 album Standing Together, Benson will be accompanied by Thomas Rax Hall on keyboard, Stanley Banks on bass guitar, Michael Philip O'Neill on guitar, Dannis Rosales Saucedo on percussion, Michael White on drums and David Jay Witham on piano.

Benson, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has won eight Grammys. Born on March 22, 1943, Benson got an early start in the music business, performing at local bars from the age of 10.

He recorded his first single, It Should Have Been Me, in 1954. Nine years later he left for New York and in two years he began his career as a jazz guitarist, playing with a number of renowned jazz musicians, including Wes Montgomery, Brother Jack McDuff and Herbie Hancock.

Benson's 1976 album Breezin, which included the hit single This Masquerade, rocked the jazz world and, at the same time, ensured his popularity in a wider musical circle. It was the first jazz album to go platinum.

Benson then produced a series of pop and rhythm and blues albums, working with top producer Quincy Jones. Benson came up with one of his biggest albums in 1980, Give Me the Night.

Benson has recorded 65 solo albums and has appeared on another 90 albums.

Although he is one of the best jazz guitarists, Benson has gained most of his commercial success through his versatile voice, singing numerous soul hits and groovy tunes like On Broadway. His musical collaborators have included leading jazz musicians Earl Klugh, Miles Davis and Joe Farrel, as well as a range of pop musicians.

In Indonesia, Benson is most recognized for his pop hits, including This Masquerade, The Greatest Love of All and 1980's Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You.

Benson's Jakarta performance is being promoted by Buena Produktama and sponsored by A Mild Live Production.

It is one of 38 appearances for Benson throughout Asia and Australia. He has been to Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, and will leave for Perth, Australia, after Jakarta.

Tickets for the show are priced at Rp 350,000 (US$52.2) for VIP A, Rp 250,000 for VIP B and Rp 150,000 for first class. (das)