Part 6/16:
Benson reflects on how he absorbed the styles and harmonies of jazz legends by listening to records. Influences ranged from Charlie Christian’s pioneering guitar work, to George Shearing's sophisticated harmonies, and the unique sounds of Oscar Peterson. His admiration for Charlie Christian’s tone and Wes Montgomery’s mastery pushed him to learn and imitate their phrasing, inducing a deep understanding of jazz improvisation and chord voicings.
He credits his extensive listening as crucial to developing his ability to sing and play simultaneously—a signature in his style. Benson emphasizes that he didn’t belong to traditional music schools but instead relied on listening, mimicking, and internalizing the sounds around him, which allowed for his distinctive approach.