Born to a musical family in Fayetteville North Carolina, George says that singing in church was a key factor in his education. “I believe singing with my family at such a young age helped develop my ear to pick up different harmonies so well.” At the heart of his musicality is a connection to the piano, an instrument that his father played. “My dad taught me four of five basic chords,” he remembers. “And everything flowed from that knowledge.”    Playing in churches also taught him how to move with the spirit. “Since I was 13, I’ve played for worship services,” he says. “In gospel there is a lot of freedom to add blues and jazz chords. Today’s contemporary gospel is a melting pot of genres.”

  As a musical director and bandleader, the demands on George’s time and creative energies are considerable. “When you are in the process of doing everything for everyone else -- putting shows and bands together -- it is music all of the time. And because you don’t see the immediate gratification or payment from a solo project, you tend to keep putting it off.  But a friend of mine put out his album and I watched him in the process. I thought, ‘I’ve played behind people who do this, why don’t I give it a shot?’”

 George is a prime player in a vital creative community that includes saxophonist Jeanette Harris who is featured on a reinterpretation of the Anita Baker hit “Sweet Love” included on Make It Happen. “I look for people who are open minded; who aren’t locked into one thing,” George says. “Talent and capability, that goes without saying, but I enjoy good spirited people who are easy to work with.”

 

 

George is the quintessential musician with proven skills as a music director, composer and bandleader. George has the gift of bringing his music and audience together as they become one. His music demonstrates soul, imagination and sweet jazz soundscapes. 

 

                                                       

Richard F. Blackwell