Hammond Organ Artists

Michel Benebig

Michel Bénébig was born in New Calédonia (South-Pacific) on June 27, 1964. He started playing bass, accordéon and électronic-organ ( Farfisa ) at 11 in differents dancing-bands all around New Calédonia. Michel started to learn piano and music-theory at 16 at the E.T.M ( Ecole Territoriale de Musique de Nouméa ), he obtained the “Golden Médal” certificat 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 of Besançon’. In june 1992, Michel switched from Classical Piano to Jazz-Organ (Hammond B3 Organ). Michel bought hundreds of CDs of Jazz organ Masters like; Jimmy Smith, Jack Mc Duff, Jimmy Mc Griff, Lonnie Smith, Sheirley Scott, Richard “Groove“ Holmes, Don Paterson, Rhoda Scott, Charles Earland, Johnny Hammond Smith, Eddy Louiss etc... and as a self taught musician, Michel learnt the Blues & Jazz organ technics, spending hours and hours of practicing the pedals... At this time, Michel was a piano teacher at the “ E.T.M “ ( Ecole Territoriale de Musique de Nouméa ), he started teaching blues & Jazz organ technics from 2001 to 2004. Michel had a grade-level teaching and performing exam in 2003, he obtained the “ D.E “ (Diplome d’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 Création Artistique).The AMJ-BECA produce concerts, tours, ‘master-class’ etc… all around New Caledonia and overseas. Michel is performing everywhere in New Calédonia & overseas like: Australia (Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania), New-Zealand (Auckland, Wellington, Napier, Nelson, Christchurch, Invercargil etc..), Fiji (Suva), Vanuatu (Vila), Florida USA (Orlando) & California USA (Los Angeles & San-Francisco), Ile de la Réunion (Indian Océan), France (Paris, Nice, Marseille etc.. ) Michel is now recognized as one of the leading Soul-Jazz-organist around the world. 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 certificate – diploma. Michel has met and played with Jazz Organists like: Jimmy Smith, Jimmy Mc Griff, Larry Goldings, Rhoda Scott, Lonnie Smith, Tony Monaco , Melvin Rhyne, Chester Thompson, ‘Papa’ John Defrancesco, Duke Jethro, Dave Matthews, Stefan Patry, Cole Nolan, Tim Neal, Cameron Scott, Darren Heinrich...