Benoir
Benoir is not really French. (gasp!)
He studied the French language in a Long Island high school, and chose the name Benoit out of the textbook, because there weren’t many other names with a cool little symbol that matched Ben.
Benoir likes black and white photos, like the ones of the Blue Note artists in the 1950’s. He also enjoys the Film Noir genre, and the color black, which translated to French = noir.
As a child, Benjamin was encouraged to pursue a career as a visual artist, due to his obsession with drawing, and highly developed skills. He won the artist of the year award at the age of 13 out of about 2000 other students. His love for the arts in general led to an admiration for the artist Renoir. This also explains the Benjamin, Benoit, Benoir connection.
One day while playing jazz in the big apple, Ben walked into a club and the band leader shouted “Ben-wah”. This was freaky, considering he hadn’t yet developed his stage name. This was the catalyst that revived the good ole class nickname Benoit. After handing out demos with this spelling, a film maker (Charles Kramer) suggested that he spell the name with the Noir on the end.
He liked the idea and became Benoir.
Some people hear the name, and say “Ben Black?”
Benoir often replies, “It could mean that, it’s open to interpretation.”
Why all the noir?
Benrouge just doesn’t do it, no matter how much you like that flick Moulin Rouge.
Benoir has developed his own method of instruction entitled the MUSICNOIR METHOD. He has received awards and accolades for his teaching (see bio), and his students have performed in venues such as: Joe’ Pub @ the Public Theater, the Knitting Factory, NASDAQ, Barnes & Nobles, Queens Theater in the Park, Mayor Bloomberg’s office, the Department of Youth & Community Development Private Events, Columbia University, and the United Nations.
Guitar, Piano, Bass, Theory, Composition, Electronic Programming, use of programs as Pro-Tools, Sonar, Reason, Print Music, Finale, and Garageband.
The essence of his mission is to give you the listener positive energy through recordings, performances, education, and cross cultural exchange. This is rooted in Benoir’s beliefs of Tikkun Olam, Mahayana Boddhisatvas, and the Native American concept that we are but stewards of our mother earth, and not owners of it.
Musician, composer, educator, producer, actor, DJ and more…
Performed with Pharaoh’s Daughter, NathalieD, Dub Affair, Noirkestra, Fisheye, Michael Lawson, Maggie C, Kema Jamal, Anthony Mills, Tribe of Djembe, Shoshke-Rayzl, Ida Mae Funktet, Jo Jo Romero, Jacques Schwartz-Bart, Patrice Blanchard, Terri Thornton, Arturo O’ Farrill, Ronny Jordan, Abou Diarrassouba, Sylvia Mincewicz, Anna Pipoyan, Blanca, Samantha Diaz, Julien Paul, Swiss Chris, Akim the Funk Buddha, Danelia Cotton, Carla Hall, Jenifa Mayanja, Leah Chandra, Lian Amber, Shanir Blumenkranz, DJ Mary Mac, Karel Ruzicka Jr., Dario Boente, Fred McCondichie, DJ Spazecrafte One, Glen Branca Orchestra, George Mgrdichian, Nando Griffiths, Arlee Leonard, Bryan Vargas, Stacy Dillard, Lucianna Padmore, Nate Jones, Chris Rob, Shaun Kelly, Robert DiPietro, Turbine, Takuya Nakamura, Synopsis, Ensemble Uniqua, Carlos Gomez, Mike Richmond, Delfeayo Marsalis, Matt Baranello, John Madera, Greg Gonzalez, Gregory Davis, Jeff Ballard, Rochelle Small, Sundar Viswanathan, Katie Elevitch, Jodan, Mirline Berrouet, Jodian Taylor, Sunny Lana, Dana Jared, Bob Gaddy, Clay Giberson, Matt Garritty, Miriam Sullivan, Patrice Blanchard, Wes Madiko, Dina Fanai, Tomer Tzur, Kemal Arsan, Daphna Mor, Brandon Terzic, Rafael Brunn, Roumald Filizot, Thomas Balay, DJ Industrialized Average, Gary Lewis, Ian Grant, Sista Tia, Elizabeth Rose, DJ Brian Blair, Mia, Atom Rush, Matt Rybicki, Scott Garapolo, John Roggie, Ryan Cavan, Dan Covan, Lee Farber, Heath Mensher, Mike Lorenz, Jarrod Cagwin, Shay-Shan Macpherson, Dexter Remy, Baba Azizi, Rufus Cappadoccia, Juni Booth, Paul Petrissans, Brad Schirmer, Pete Walrath, Patrick Hughes, Chris Frey, Daniel Freedman, Donovan Jackson, Fred Rubins, Michal Cohen, Grant Hall, Jason Lindner, Neal Evans, Avram Fefer, Joseph LePore, Pablo Vargera, Jerica Rose, John Madera, Tapan Modak, Ben Waltzer, David Brandt, Derek Beres, J Kul, Paul Josephs, Matt Hilgenburg, Kynch O’ Kayne, Tom Spyker, Fabio Nunziata, Meg Okura, Rob Mastrianni, James G Williams, Toli Nameless, Lakecia Benjamin, Craig Akin, Jeff Hoyer memorial band, Eliza B, Julien Paul, and many more!
MUSICNOIR projects;
Dub Luv, Les Femmes Electroniques, Sauce On the Side, Duo Noir, Trio_noir, Noirkestra, Dub Affair, Ginger Dust..
Check this myspace page for tracks to purchase and listen to….
myspace.com/musicnoirsoundtracks
Benoir has his own segment in Hybrid Lounge called Cafe Noir, in which he discusses cd’s, books and arts with his colorful and talented guests.