BENOIR

Benoir has been performing as a guitarist since 1990 with his high school groups Legacy & the US Production. He majored in Studio Music / Jazz Performance at the University of Miami, playing in jazz groups on South Beach, and later producing multi-media events as the FILM ARTS REVOLUTION. He brought that show to NYC premiering at Wetlands to 75 people on a Monday night. Not bad. Through his hard work and longtime musical friendships with fine musicians including Robert Di Pietro - he landed a spot with Terri Thornton at Arthur's Tavern which led to many other opportunities. Ensemble Uniqua introduced him to legendaries as Antonio Dangerfield, Michael Lawson, Sundar Viswanathan, Matt Rybicki, Matt Baranello, Shaun Kelly, NathalieD, and Neil Evans (Soul Live). He performed at Irving Plaza, Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, and many downtown clubs like the Knitting Factory and the Izzy Bar. He was then referred to Basya Schecter (Pharaoh's Daughter) who was looking to replace her guitarist Adam Levy (Norah Jones) who was leaving New York. Benoir began a long time collaboration with her in 1997 that included his first trips to London, Munich, Vienna, Venice, Athens, and cities in the U.S. like Ann Arbor, Denver, Los Angeles, Portland, Ft. Lauderdale, Austin, Boston, Great Barrington, and all over the United States. His guitar work was often praised with this band and he appears on 5 of her releases (KnitMedia/Tzadik). During his time as a sideman with her band, he continued to play with Ensemble Uniqua veterans and as a band leader himself, premiering his "AFRO-EASTERN-ACID-SAMBA" jazz fusion style at the Knitting Factory Old Office in 1998. Living in the Lower East Side, he promoted and performed at many local clubs at the time like Baby Jupiter and Dharma, and often played in Danbury Connecticut with a group of local artists including; Brian Blair, Pete Walrath, Patrick Hughes, and Atom Rush. In 2000 Benoir began performing with TRIBE OF DJEMBE a NY Afro-Reggae band comprised of the amazing; Fred McCondichie, Ian Grant, Maurice (RIP), Gary Lewis, Donovan Jackson, and band leader Ricardo Ricketts. He learned a lot about Reggae music and reggae guitar through his adventures with them. He continues to work with Tribe, who have a new CD that was recorded at Shaggy's studio and features Luciano! Benoir's songs have included instrumentals, lyrical works, and starting in 2003 - electronic music. His songs have been utilized in radio, internet, film, and gained him accolades and awards. (see website bio) His love of the nylon string guitar has sparked study in Brazilian, Classical, and Flamenco music. In 2003 he began working closely with Michael Lawson after the Nu Yeah Yeah's bash with Amayo's Fu-Arkistra that also featured Benoir's friends; Anthony Mills, Sista Tia, Abou Diarrassouba, and Gary, Ian, Fred from Tribe of Djembe. Lawson/Noir created a great vibe with drummer Matt Baranello, recording original compositions and releasing it under the band name TRIO_NOIR. The demo was re-recorded with Fred McCondichie as SKETCHES OF MARIA. In 2002 Dance/dialogue artist Kema Jamal was referred to Benoir by Matt Baranello and they both performed with her in NY, CT, Wyoming, and later at the Media Wave Festival 2003 in Budapest, Hungary, and Subotica, Serbia. James Blood Ulmer gave Benoir guitar props after seeing Kema's debut in Brooklyn at which time they also performed some of Benoir's originals like "Aramas". In 2004 Benoir began working with guitarist Shoshke-Rayzl on a psychedelic jamband project entitled NOIRKESTRA. He played a supportive co-producer role, helping her fulfill her vision for an experimental improvisational group by introducing her to drummer Matt Baranello, and electric violinista Sylvia Mincewicz. PSI-FI-HI was recorded and released in 2004 with a spectacular show at Joe's Pub featuring projections, erotic dancers, and musical friends including Jodan, Heath Mensher, Dan Covan, Lee Farber, Karel Ruzicka Jr., and Katie Elevitch. The Noirkestra morphed a bit in 2005 with a new "dance music" improv direction. The group consisted of mostly the guest artists from the CD release - Lee, Dan, Jodan, and co-producer Shoshke-Rayzl. A demo was produced but unreleased (though it's available!). Shosh and Noir then broke the collab down to his newfound love of laptop, and her exciting electric guitar. This group became DUB AFFAIR. 2006 was a busy year for Dub Affair who rocked stages at; the Cutting Room, Knitting Factory, the Slipper Room, Black Betty, the Aldrich Museum, Joe's Pub, and many more. The duo also performed in Ann Arbor, Knoxville, Boston, and had their music selected for a compilation disc that was dispersed in Amsterdam at the 2006 ADE conference (Amsterdam Dance Event). Dub Affair met DJ ISIS there who helped book them a gig at a local club. Benoir was always interested in pursuing a deeper DUB sound and began formulating DUB LUV - a party for reggae/dub lovers, and the people who love them! The first show was booked at Sin Sin Leopard Lounge by Sal Principato, and featured vocalist NathalieD with Dub Affair. The three had began working as a trio in January 2007. Dub Affair took a hiatus, and NathalieD and Benoir began working closely together throughout 2007 performing at many of the Les Femmes Electroniques (also created by Benoir) events and the Dub Luv shows. Highlights included a show in Philadelphia with Fisheye, and many others at Black Betty/Fontanas/Mo Pitkins with; Toli Nameless, Louisa Mcbee Light, DJ Spazecrafte One, DJ Just Honey, DJ Jeannie Hopper, DJ Ras Kush, DJ Dubstar, DJ Sabine, Riddim Nation, Ultrafine, and many other artists. NathalieD and Benoir have now renamed their project GINGER DUST, and are currently shopping their album to labels. Benoir also teaches guitar, music theory, and produces work for clients on Pro-Tools at his STUDIONOIR in Long Beach, NY including Minnie D, Nando Griffiths, and others. He is a dedicated composer and musical director who has helped put tracks, gigs, bands, and live music reinforcement together for countless people including vocalist Maggie C of the famed female party - Eden. He also performs as a DJ (LAPTOLOGIST) upon occasion and produces multi-media events at various venues. After an 8 month stint at Velvet Lounge (Brooklyn), and a 2 month stint at the Irish Cottage (Forest Hills), he has crawled back in his Cancerian shell to regroup, recharge, and kick off 2009 with a bang. Check out more at musicnoir.com