When Jersey Jazz Giant Russell Malone was 12, he saw George Benson perform in Benny Goodman’s band on TV. It changed his life. He died August 23 at 60 from a heart attack while on tour in Japan as part of Ron Carter’s band. In his tragically short life, he played in the bands of vocalists Harry Connick, Jr., Diana Krall, Jimmy Smith, BB King, Branford Marsalis, Macy Gray, Christian McBride, David Sanborn and Sonny Rollins.