Michel BENEBIG
Jazz Organist & Composer
(New Caledonia)

Michel Bénébig was born in New Calédonia ( South-Pacific ) on June 27th 1964.
Michel started playing bass, accordéon and électronic-organ at 11 in differents dancing-bands all around New Calédonia..
Young Michel studied classical piano and music-theory at at E.T.M ( Ecole Territoriale de Musiquede Nouméa ), he obtained the first “Golden Médal” in New Calédonia history, on Piano in 1988.
From 1990 to 1992 Michel studied in high level of classical-piano training in France at the ‘National Conservatory of Music’.
In june 1992, Michel switched from Classical Piano to Jazz-Organ ( Hammond B3 Organ ), and taught himself how to play that amazing instrument built in 1934 by Mr Laurence Hammond ( Chicago Illinois USA ). At this time, Michel is a piano teacher at the “ E.T.M “ ( Ecole Territoriale de Musique de Nouméa), he started teaching blues & Jazz organ technique in 2001.
Michel had a grade-level teaching and performing exam in 2003, he obtained the “ D.E “ ( Diplomed’Etat / State Diploma ) on the Hammond Organ at the “ ETM “ now “ C.M.N.C “ ( Conservatoire de Musique de Nouvelle Calédonie ). Michel left the C.M.N.C in December 2006 to create an association called ‘AMJ-BECA’ ( Association des Musiciens de Jazz & Blues pour les Echanges et la CréationArtistique ). The AMJ-BECA is producing concerts, tours, ‘master-class’ etc...

Michel has toured all around the world during these last 20 years: Australia & Tasmania, New-Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, USA ( Los Angeles, San-Francisco, New York ), Ile de la Réunion ( Indian Océan ), France etc...

Michel is today recognized as one of the leading ‘Soul-Jazz’ organist around the world, he’s one of the rare French jazz organist to be listed in the official ‘Hammond Organ USA company’ : http://hammondorganco.com/.../organ-and.../michel-benebig/
Michel was elected the “Organist of the Month” of may 2006 by “ The International Archives for the Jazz-Organ “ ( http://www.iajo.org ) , and received a certificat – diploma.

Michel mett and played with legendary Jazz Organists such as : Jimmy Smith, Jimmy Mc Griff, Larry Goldings, Rhoda Scott, Melvin Rhyne, Lonnie Smith..

Michel also performed with top class Américan jazz musicians :
Lewis Nash (drums), Houston Person (saxophone), Carl Lockett ( guitar), James Levi (drums), Bruce Forman (guitar), Frank Potenza (guitar), Paul Kreibich (drums), Randy Johnston (guitar), George Coleman Jr (drums), Doug Webb (saxophone)...
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*Michel BENEBIG home town Trio ‘2015’, is featuring Carl LOCKETT & ‘SHEM’ Bénébig
“Fabienne ‘Shem’ Benebig always accompanies Michel on the road and she is also a gifted musician. Her well thought out compositions and strong vocal presence are integral to the combo. ‘Shem’ mainly sings in her native French tongue and hearing the blues in that language is pleasant to the ear. That said she is not there for mere novelty value as her voice is authoritative. Whether whispering a ballad or belting out a Count Basie number she is equally compelling. Like Michel she has a captivating stage presence and her playful humour is the perfect foil to his studied cool.”
( by New Zealand Jazz critics John FENTON )
Michel Benebig is gaining wider attention and his recent trips to California and New York have resulted in three stellar albums. His command of the Hammond organ (B3) is astonishing and if you want a masterclass in technique and cool watch him in action. He has an intuitive feel for this genre and every move, every pregnant pause and every gesture becomes part a his unfolding story. As the last of the old B3 masters leave us, Michel Benebig and others like him will be swiftly identified as the new cadre, ready to move up and occupy that hallowed space.
( by New Zealand Jazz critics John FENTON )

Michel Benebig - organ
Roger Manins - tenor saxophone
Ron Samson - drums
Michael Howell - guitar

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