George Benson reveals release date for Long-Lost album after returning to Warner Music Group

UPDATE (4/26/24): Having earlier announced his return to Warner Music Group, Grammy Award-winning jazz guitarist-singer George Benson now reveals the release date of his long-lost album Dreams Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon. Available on CD, LP and all digital and streaming platforms from Rhino on June 14 (pre-order HERE), the 11-track instrumental includes covers of American classics (“Autumn Leaves,” “At Last”) and pop classics (“Yesterday” by the Beatles, “A Song for You” by Leon Russell). It was Russell's “This Masquerade” that gave Benson his first major hit and a Grammy for record of the year.

Benson and composer-arranger Robert Farnon recorded initially Dreams Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon 35 years ago under the guidance of Grammy Award winning engineer Al Schmidt. For the newly remastered version of the album, Benson enlisted Grammy Award-winning pianist, composer and arranger Randy Waldman as his co-producer.

In a statement announcing his new DreamBenson commented, “After finding this lost musical treasure, I enlisted my genius friend, Randy Waldman, to help me bring it back to life. Mission accomplished.”

ORIGINAL STORY (26/3/24):

Multiple Grammy Award-winning jazz guitarist-singer George Benson rejoins Warner Music Group (WMG). In addition to new music coming later this year, the legendary artist and WMG are celebrating the reunion with a previously unreleased video featuring Benson in a live performance of the late '70s track “Lady Blue.”

Benson was already a famous jazz guitarist when he made his breakthrough in 1976 with his Warner Bros. debut album. Breezin'. Fueled by the top 10 crossover hit “This Masquerade”, the album topped the jazz, R&B and pop charts. It has since become one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time, having been certified triple platinum.

“When I first joined WB Records, it kind of exploded my career as a musician and I tried to be a singer,” Benson said in a press release. “The exposure from this association has given me a life I never imagined. Nothing but good came from this collaboration and today the inspiration continues.”

Added Kevin Gore, president of Warner Music Global Catalog and Arts Music, “I am thrilled to welcome back the legendary George Benson to the Warner Music family. With his unmatched guitar skills and soulful voice, Mr. Benson continues to captivate audiences across generations. We are privileged to be a part of his journey again and honored to be working with such a talented artist with an outstanding musical legacy.”

Benson recorded 12 albums for Warner between 1979 and 1993. These works include three more platinum-certified works: 1977's In the flight1978 live album Weekend in LA and 1980 Quincy Jones production Give Me the Night. Benson also has several gold albums, including: 1979's; Livin' Inside Your Love1983 In your eyes and of 1985 20/20.

Out of 25 Grammy nominations, Benson has won 10 awards. His first two came alongside the aforementioned breezin' album, which won best pop instrumental performance, while “This Masquerade” won record of the year.

Benson is set to perform at the Hollywood Bowl on August 18. Watch a live performance of “Lady Blue” at official Rhino YouTube channel.