George Benson playing "Breezin'"

[arnolf]

one word....OCTAVE!

[garfgary]

what's on the f-hole of the guitar?

[sushinutnc]

@garfgary It's cellophane tape (see 3:49). It's used to reduce (hopefully eliminate) feedback with hollowbody guitars. IMO, it's a shame, but depending on how the set is mic'd and amplified, it's hard to avoid sometimes. And that's his signature model Ibanez GB200 (that's GB for George Benson). That's a $4000 guitar modifed with 10 cents worth of tape. :-/

[Donniedoitall]

@garfgary scotch tape it dampens the sound

[colocolinoDePortland]

benson said he created this song but in fact it was Gabor Szabo !!!! suckas!

[shawno448]

if you dont like george benson, u might want to consider seeing someone

[biggbrattz]

@shawno448 hehehe, thats good!! Yea, if someone doesn't find this smooth, they just gotta have some kind of problem!!

[hoganesque]

Flawless!!!

[noisyneil]

i can probably recognise benson's sound quicker than my own mum's voice. how does he get that tone?!

[korkorification]

my heart melts at the sound of this tune. THIS IS MUSIC!!!!!

[didgeridog2]

thank you George for you great music brings me back in time

[GERRYBUCAD]

Yap stupid 24, jazz is one the most difficult to play, I'm a musician....

[ThePurcy]

absolutely love this, learning this song has opened so many doors to me when it comes to improvising when playing along with songs and i want to add an extra bit of flare n a hook where it fits..

breezin is such a fun song to play n jam too

[TheFirstGroover]

this is smoothilicious

[DJDeonPearson]

Feelgood song of the lifetime! :-)

[ckwrich1]

Effortless magic from maestro ! Bad Benson to be soooo good.

[vinka3692]

Fantastico !!!

[lotuskissed]

Oh baby baby..smooth&delicious!

[Jazztastic2112]

george is da boss

[phantom0621]

Amazing sound - love this track - always have. But what's so special about this version is the way the band really works with George to compliment the groove -rtaher than each band member trying to grab there own 15 minutes (seconds) of fame - they help the Master present a truly awesome performance. Just love the strings - brilliant! Would love to see him perform live.

[gloriialevi]

LOLOL 0:59

[xXironraiderXx]

its just simply amazing that he recorded this song 36 years ago and he never ever plays it the same way twice!

[celebwhlman]

Where was this recorded ?  AMAZZZIN

[franklinrwful]

Mmmm. Nice.

[leilua274]

the best!



[spdbed]

This was the first song played at our wedding 35 years ago and it is still awesome today!!! Go George!

[cymande32]

tearing it to shreads.....truly BAD BENSON sums it all.

[Islandrosebud]

I've always been madly in love with this man. He has a very lucky wife.

[ChristJesusAddict]

I love this song and this is probably one of the best live versions I've seen here on youtube.

[sidneyraines]

24 people dont kno good music when they hear it. This guy is a musical legend!

[haappyanna]

@sidneyraines 24 persons hear justin bieber¡

[VicRoseMusic]

1:00 bass player getting too funky!

[sweetchildonline]

@VicRoseMusic you can never get too funky!

[VicRoseMusic]

@sweetchildonline I agree haha. Did you see him groovin?

[gbeachbum464]

This song just makes me happy.

[Silkysmooth1000]

He plays the octaves very effortlessly.

[dannpenn]

beautiful version, but the original by gabor szabo is so much better!!

[Bojazzki]

@dannpenn 'the original by gabor szabo'? I know the song was written by Bobby Womack. DId Gabor Szabo record this first ? 

[dannpenn]

@Bojazzki the original was by Gabor szabo, maybe in 1971,if my memory is good

[Bojazzki]

@dannpenn Well I'll be damned. Gabor recorded in 1970 with Bobby Womack himself. Excellent stuff. I feel less ignorant now too =). Thanks for clueing me in on that.

[Alexrabat]

omg

[dedyusfar]

He was a good playing guitar as i knew.

[84alega]

the bass player is not new.. he been playing bass for goerge for years and rythem guitar as well...

[pencert]

The bass player looks like he's having fun... maybe he's new and he's like "I'm playing Breezin' with George Benson!"

[LisadeLeeuw]

@pencert Of course that is Staley Banks and is with Benson for more than 30 years brother !!

[grunt12394]

i love the sound of jazz guitar



[TubeScrewed]

He's playing the octaves with a sweep of his pick instead of his fingers on the whistle video. Always changing things looking for a better way. That's a true musician.

[Stealthkeys77]

The thing I like about this song is that it has a "easy come, easy go" attitude about it. It makes me realize that we are only on the earth for a short time, so rather than fight and argue we should all aim for the "simple life" of easy times and smooth jazz. I put my words into practice last year when I left my stressful office job for a job with half the pay but double the happiness. I live my life by this song... my newfound philosphy of smooth jazz, palm trees, girls & midori on ice !

[joeRAND0M]

im speechless.

[rarisgod]

Is that the same guy on keyboard from the video on the Old Grey Whistle Test?

[cjwilly1]

...anyone know who's on Bass...???

[CLAUSOLO]

que linda canción, reminds me of the 70's, simplier times

[dougtube2006]

@CLAUSOLO I concur! George is still the real deal and I would go back to that time in a heartbeat if I could.

[TrueMason]

tape over the f hole?

[Eliass346]

@TrueMason It reduces the feedback that is common with larger jazz boxes.

[StevieHendrix92]

@TrueMason To reduce feedback. I had a teacher who filled his in with styrofoam, you still get a "hollow" sound, obviously not quite the same but close enough that the benefits are well worth it.

[TrueMason]

tape over the f hole?

[alexyoc]

Amo el Jazz =)



[gez1232123]

4:17 look his face!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bufbarnaby]

I saw him at Royce Hall , UCLA 1980.

He was amazing !

[useable100]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO­OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­AAAH!!

[Dalmenco]

awesome

[calroach1]

I'd pay $1000 to see this man in concert, WOW!!

[shinobebop]

everythig perfect!

[nashtndawg]

Happy Birthday George! 25 people need to get outside and feel the Breeze!

[maranomarcelo]

lo mejor de la musica...George benson con dos acordes...mira que te hace...

[maranomarcelo]

lo mejor de la musica...George benson

[guitarsamueldebona]

And truly divine music and George Benson, regardless of religious belief, we have the best profession in the world, music actually survives because most impportante and all other arts, because to her and hear and feel Congratulations, This capability and very good music! Prof. Bonn Spain / Portugal

[JulianNickoloffMusic]

Does he use flatwound?

[zamusician]

@JulianNickoloffMusic Yeah, it definitely sounds like it

[KishoAudioVisual]

Master <3

[MrJaiLeeworthy]

that bass player is groovin!

[cisjay]

@MrJaiLeeworthy I just noticed that lol, the bass player is gettin it in.

[creation23]

Loooove it, and he drinks water out of wine glasses, classiest guy ever!

[Armonelli]

you can find me here

armone benson wordpress dot

[Armonelli]

GO Family! This is Armone Benson from Springfield IL. Mary Benson Grandson , Doris Bensons Son! Stay Blessed Family! I wish I could send you a photo. you would then see our feature similarities. Nose cheekbones swagger LOL.. -Check me out Love you Family!!

[JoshuaSnell3]

This will always be the best version of Breezin'. I was kind of dissapointed when he played an exact copy of the studio version when I saw him live two years ago, knowing that he could do so much more.

[skipper8257]

People that don't like this song can not appreciate a great guitarist playing a very difficult instrument and a great song.

[babyboy1080]

i have a high appreciation for good music.. aww gatta love it!

[HCL808]

The Master playing my favorite all time instrumental smooth jazz hit. THE BEST !!

[MrBiGdOgZZ]

I WISH

[mbnyus]

The best guitar jazz of the entire world.

[DrMIKE6286]

That's a pretty big coat for indoors

[cesargiometti]

Falar o quê dessa maravilha? Pura inspiração, tanto a canção como o arranjo. George Benson é demais. I love this song...

[minib00mpola]

In my opinion live version is mucccccccch better than studio version :)

[eikcid]

George Benson is great!!! Good stuf.

Greetings from Holland. Dick Huijer.

[zamusician]

There is not a single thing that anyone can say against this guy. Truly amazing. :D

[funkateerkitty]

Why he is in danger of ALWAYS getting kidnapped

by me and forced to play for me everyday for his food '-'

Been Lovin U since the 70's George!

Your guitar takes me on a wonderful journey :)

[esgimasd]

This is what it's all about.

[theinck]

the king of guitar without a doubt.

[William1st]

SHMOOOOOOOOOOOTH, baby, yeaahh!

[frankpapa100]

No Stanley Clarke thats Stanley Banks (Mayor of Brooklyn)

[royrand]

I thought i saw Stanley Clarke playing the bass????

[lilyleg]

Never tire of this. No one plays like this guy.

[OREGONBEKKI]

I had the privelege of attending the "Breezin" tour concert in Portland, Oregon...what a joy! Thanks for posting a good quality video of this.

[MrChiffy]

this guy's such a dude - always dressed to kill and you can tell the music flows through him -

[braguldo666]

perfect music for cruisin down san diego

[chuckdreamweaver]

I wish I could have a band like this. How much is $300 split 37 ways? I'm just wondering.

[lilyleg]

The hairs on the back of the neck stand up every time. George Benson and Joe Pass - the best ever.

[Philougarou]

wonderful George!!!

[88sublunaire]

Quel tueur!Hors de portée!Sublime!

[denim98]

Love his gyrating hips haha

[mormana]

One of my favorite songs

[raidacaipo]

gotta love this song man lol

[jdsongwriter]

Wow, I wish that I could make guitar playing look so easy! Sweeeeeet!! 

[rudyrudy54]

Masterrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

[jazztarou]

It recorded to the cassette tape for about 30 years ago and it heard it. It hears it still sometimes. It is favorite one.

[grandmarquisinspace]

i love to see the violins in the background ... so rare now!

[saron380]

Is that Jerry Preston on Bass?

[tropicalpancake56]

There's no one like him...the word "admiration" comes to mind.....

[209Jiminy]

Undoubtably the Cooooolist man on the planet !!!!

[ReneeNme]

So glad I raised my myself to be so appreciative of different genre's of music. Thank you Georgo for this classic.

[dcptkn]

too bloody gud georgie 

[pullom19]

So So smooth. There is just no laying back with this tune. Everyone is right there on the accents and no one is trying to upstage Mr. Benson. I love this version

[steelittle]

GREAT!

[SisterD7]

THANK YOU FOR THIS POST GEORGE BENSON IS AWESOME.!!!!!!!

[GoodCheeba]

Absolutely tears me up.....I'm melting in my chair

[edgalavis99]

¡Perfecta para volver a creer...para viajar..para amar!

[chichiriviche2008]

BREEZIN...Un hito musical en mi historia personal...

[rteeman]

rteeman

George plays like i have always known him to play with total eeze or breeze if for a

better word a real muzo in his own world.To me he is a champion.

[browny2759]

brother that was  "SOLID"

[roscomart]

pure class no one better massive version of this iconic song

[shortfall424]

The consumate master, extrordinaire!!

[judaspriestrock]

His fingers just glide over that fretboard like its nothing!

[changxxxyt]

If U dont like him...U .......

[joskee101]

Damn that feels GOOD!!!!!!!

[SisterD7]

@joskee101 OH ! SO GOOD

[celticgaurdian1400]

Just like opening what you wanted on Christmas morning. Exactly what you wanted with a nice bow!

[OtaraPiMp]

Despite the many versions of this song, only George can play it like he does...Very classy indeed.

[scarfnerd]

you can tell george really loves playing, he's probably played that song 10,000 times, and he's still smiling

[AgamemnonPadar]

Start of 80s i drove with a friend to the Northsea Jazz Festival in Den Hague. Since we arrived late in the night we slept in my friends car next to the festival area. Following morning we were woken up by the soundcheck of George Bensonplaying this song. No better way to be woken up.

[Pkrules979]

Wow..

[debaron2]

Genius at work....

[kaneoheGrown]

STILL DOING HIS SWAY/DANCE!!! YES

[raremountainbear]

He's such a badass.

[TLLCproductions]

Oh, he's so cool.

[290aua]

CHILLS!

[caioton]

his fingers "stroll" on the gutar. Amazing, he makes it look so easy!

[royrand]

this tune had strong 16note feel to it ..the drummer kind of messed it here

[JoshuaSnell3]

I don't think so. They added more swing to this version, George isn't playing 'straight' either. It's a bit hoppy and bouncy, and it would suck if the drummer played the usual 16-note feel here.

[royrand]

You are absolutely right bro.. Im so used to his original version that i didnt quite see george swinging here though it is so obvious..hmmm...but i think a nice broken shuffle would have suited better since george was doing kind of a swingy version..What do you think?

[JoshuaSnell3]

Yeah that would've fit the tune well too.. But I have to say, like this it does sound smooth, cool, clean and classy! But of course that's because they balanced everything so well in this concert, including piano, keyboards, percussion..

[g100chill]

just read an interview of him

he says he never practice before actually recording ,and he wants songs to sound a bit different every time he plays

[andrewirobinson]

@JoshuaSnell3 I agree. This version does swing.

[agussound]

beautiful!!! can anybody tell me what does he do between 0:38 and 0:40 min?.. a tab or something.. i'd like to play it.. i am learning to play jazz and that little piece sounds wonderfull...

Sory about my English,,

Bye =)

[einiger]

he does sweeping

[vikstart]

beautiful man, beautiful musician. Saw him about 15 yrs ago Sydney Hilton, got told to sit down when I danced. Worth the embarrasment. Love you GB.

[AsaCameron]

Seeing him this year in London, can't wait!

[AsaCameron]

Makes me feel just so good.

[Kiwianabananarama]

classic!

[donottawaguitar]

cool

[irishbelle65]

Stunning...Thank you

[OrangeAni]

George Benson is a legend! I love this music.

Great performance :)

[TheBaaadOne]

Damn!!!

[MelisaEnDirecto]

Beautiful....

[lacongaye]

super!!!!

[farah181188]

perfect!

[Wilmor2009]

BREEZIN-with a TWIST...very nice. Ilike the new start to this version. good for you MR Benson

[Cliffs0fDover]

Easily one of the best guitarists ever.

[RangRing68]

1976 all over again!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pipsniq]

i was at his cencert yesterday evening in Dubai, he was performing at the Air Show Gal dinner, the young drummer Tedd Campell, is amazing. i have never seen such a lovely and lively perfomance, i will definately buy his music.

[sebbbo77]

That bass player's head is popping in and out like a turkey !! HA HA .... sooooo funny !!

[phileustace]

What a great performance. George Benson is the best. The pianists do a great job in this piece, more so than other times when its just been guitar.

[thejazzman8]

first song i ever learned....learn a new lick every time i listen to the master play it.

[studiojazz]

Beautiful song

[mrmoonriver]

One of my favorite songs. Like him so much.

[luciefan44]

great music!

[BergamoStreetArmy]

musica e magia.... thanks... ;)

[abner877]

o cara toca muito!

[BluesMan88]

Im a hardcore Blues player but im glad that im a guitar player, cause it wouldnt be enough just to listen to this

[malan1sn]

I agree with u one 100%. Could be feeling it way more.

[danny7289]

This is pure class!

[ElvenMystery]

amazing :) i am soo glad im a jazz guitarist and that i can learn this awesome song:)

[WindsNature]

Pure talent

[zeppin246]

feelin good  enjoy

[walaky1000]

anyone pls tell me what breezin means :).n1ce song

[TokyoCannabal]

means just blowin' along with the wind.carefree and jubilant...well thats my interpretation

[revresbo101]

grooooovy. seriously.

[red5llaw]

GeorgeBenson is a National Treasure. His music is beautiful and inspiring. Thank You George.