Michel Bénébig Soul-Jazz Sextet

Listen to Michel Bénébig Soul-Jazz Sextet

As part of the "New Caledonia New Zealand Season 2007" and Montana National Jazz Festival, internationally acclaimed New Caledonian soul-jazz musician Michel Bénébig brings his mix of R&B, swing, blues, be-bop, jazz, funk, and hard-bop to Tauranga in April.

The Michel Bénébig Soul-Jazz Sextet is a collaboration between the Michel Bénébig Trio from New Caledonia (vocalist Shem, Hammond organist Michel Bénébig and drummer Stéphane Renier) and New Zealand musicians Vaughn Roberts (trumpet), Rodger Fox (trombone) and Roger Manins (tenor saxophone). The Sextet will perform much of the original music composed by Shem and Michel Bénébig for the Trio, along with new arrangements by Wellington trumpeter Vaughn Roberts. The music, with French lyrics, is influenced by the New Caledonian lifestyle and the soul-jazz tradition of great jazz organists such as Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff and Jack McDuff.

Michel Bénébig has established a reputation as one of the leading soul-jazz organists of his generation. Following studies in classical piano in New Caledonia and France, the Hammond jazz organ won him over and inspired by the likes of Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff and Sheiley Scott, Michel taught himself to play. For the past 19 years he has been teaching jazz organ and piano at the New Caledonia Conservatory of Music and performing as a professional jazz organist in New Caledonia and overseas. Engagements have taken him throughout the world, with frequent performances in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. He has performed with leading musicians including guitarist Bruce Forman and drummer Lewis Nash (US), trombonist Rodger Fox (NZ), saxophonist Adam Simmons (Australia), and US organists Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff and Tony Monaco. In May 2006 Michel was selected as “Jazz Organist of the Month” by the International Archive for the Jazz Organ (IAJO) in Europe.

"Keep swingin' man!" [Bruce Forman of Michel Bénébig]
"Michel Bénébig does the Hammond gods proud, kicking solid bass, smoothly comping and soloing oh-so-sweetly!"[Mark Vail, Keyboard magazine, USA]
"Man, he swings!"[Tony Monaco of Michel Bénébig]

Booking details for Michel Bénébig Soul-Jazz Sextet

Monday 9April – 1:00pm, The Eves Jazz Café, Baycourt, Montana National Jazz Festival, Tauranga. Tickets $20, available from Baycourt Tauranga TicketDirect (07) 577 7188 or www.ticketdirect.co.nz.