Breezin'
George Benson, 1976, from Breezin'. Solo by George Benson.
The Bobby Womack tune became a crossover hit on the strength of Benson's smooth, fluid melody and solo.
George Benson's version of Bobby Womack's Breezin' became a crossover hit because it makes jazz guitar sound effortless and inviting. His melody statement is smooth and fluid, sitting over a relaxed groove with strings, and his solo stays close to the tune's easygoing mood while slipping in quick, clean bebop runs. Benson's articulation is so even that the fastest passages still sound relaxed. The record opened jazz guitar to a wider pop and R&B audience in the late '70s and shaped the sound of much smooth jazz that followed. Listen for how he shades the melody with small slides and grace notes, and how his improvised runs always return neatly to the song's gentle rhythmic pocket.
Breezin' by George Benson is featured in our Jazz (#8) list. The solo is played by George Benson and the song was released in 1976.
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Who played the guitar solo on Breezin'?
George Benson played the solo on George Benson's Breezin' (1976).