Harbourview Acquires Jazz Legend George Benson's Master Royalties in Major Deal
George Benson performs with electric guitar
Photo Credit: George Benson by Robbie Drexhage / CC by 4.0
Harbourview Equity Partners has acquired the master royalty income of jazz legend George Benson, adding another significant catalog to their music IP portfolio.
Benson's impressive musical legacy includes:
- 36 studio albums and 8 live albums
- Triple platinum album "Breezin'" (1976) - winner of three Grammy Awards
- Hit single "Give Me the Night" (1980) - produced by Quincy Jones
- Modern collaborations including Gorillaz's "Humility" (100M+ YouTube views)
Notable achievements:
- NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship (2009)
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star
- Honorary doctorates from Morris Brown College, Berklee School of Music, and Duquesne University
- DownBeat Magazine Hall of Fame inductee (2020)
- New Jersey Hall of Fame inductee (2021)
In 2024, Benson returned to Warner Music Group, releasing "Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon," an 11-track orchestral album recorded 35 years ago with Robert Farnon and engineer Al Schmitt.
Harbourview CEO Sherrese Clarke Soares praised Benson's distinct artistry and cultural impact. Fox Rothschild represented Harbourview in the transaction, while Manatt, Phelps & Phillips represented Benson. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Related Articles
Universal Music Intensifies Push to Dismiss Limp Bizkit's $200M Royalties Lawsuit, Citing Contract Terms
