Auckland Jazz & Blues Club - Michel Bénébig

Soul-Jazz Organist “ Hammond B3 organ “

Michel started playing electric bass, accordion and electronic organ at 11 in different dancing bands. From 1990 to 1992, Michel studied music in France in high degree level of classical piano training. In 1993, Michel switched from classical piano to jazz organ (B3 Hammond Organ), and taught himself the blues & jazz organ techniques, spending hours and hours of practicing.

Michel had a grade-level teaching and performing exam in 2003, and obtained the “D.E“ (Diplome d’Etat /State Diploma) on Hammond organ. Michel created a new association called AMJ-BECA (Association des Musiciensde Jazz & Blues pour les Echanges et la Création Artistique), which organises concerts, tours, ‘master-class’ etc...all around New Caledonia and overseas.

Michel is touring overseas in Australia, New-Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, USA, Ilede la Réunion (Indian Océan), France etc, and is recognised as one of the leading jazz-organist "New Génération” in the South Pacific. Michel was elected the “Organist of the Month” of May 2006 by “The International Archives for the Jazz-Organ“ (http://www.iajo.org) in Europe, and received a diploma.

Michel met and played with legendary jazz organists and musicians like Jimmy Smith (USA/1996), Jimmy McGriff (USA/1995), Lonnie Smith (USA/2011 ), Rhoda Scott (France-New Calédonia/1996 & 1998), Joey Defrancesco (USA/2011), Tony Monaco (USA/2005). Michel also performed with international Bruce Forman (USA/guitar), Lewis Nash (USA/drums), Randy Jonhston (USA/guitar), Doug Webb (USA/sax), George Coleman Jr (USA/ drums), Andrew Dickeson (Aust/drums), Roger Manins (NZ/saxophone) and many others.

To know more about Michel, feel free to visit his website.

Pt Chev RSA and club members free.

Event listed by Pete McGregor

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