Inspiration (A Tribute To Nat King Cole)

The legendary George Benson makes his most inspired album: Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole. This recording is one of the most meaningful of Benson's career and is a testament to the spirit of Cole's timeless body of work. Benson's heartfelt renditions of some of Cole's greatest songs with Nelson Riddle arrangements and the 42-piece Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra are complemented by duets with Idina Menzel and Judith Hill, along with a special collaboration with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.

Speaking on recording the album Benson says, "I felt every moment of it. You can't put together a record like this without putting your heart into it. I got that from Nat King Cole. He put his heart into everything he did."

The careers of Benson and Cole share a similar arc, both establishing themselves first as highly respected instrumentalists before skyrocketing to crossover success once they began sharing their unforgettable voices with the world. Better known as a jazz pianist first, Nat King Cole's major breakthrough came in 1943 when he added his melting baritone voice to "Straighten Up and Fly Right". Benson, who had a well-established career as one of the world's top jazz guitarists, made his major break in the pop world by singing "This Masquerade". Yet, both of these remarkable artists remained true to their jazz roots as this album revels with 12 covers of Cole's most endearing repertoire.