Bénabar
Singer/songwriter Bénabar emerged at the vanguard of France's "chanson réaliste" movement, crafting uncommonly literary portraits of contemporary life informed by folk, jazz, and film. Born Bruno Nicolini on June 16, 1969, in the Paris suburb of Essonne, he began studying trumpet at age eight, and after completing school spent six months in the U.S. There his longtime fascination with filmmaking grew, and upon returning home he trained as a photographer and film technician, at age 20 writing and directing his first short film, Nada Lezard. In the decade to follow Nicolini released two additional shorts, most notably the Montreal Film Festival award-winning José Jeannette. However, his ambitions to direct a feature-length project were stalled by financing troubles, and in the interim he turned to television, writing for the Canal+ production H.
At age 25 Nicolini also began writing songs, teaching himself piano and performing in nightclubs under the alias Bénabar, inspired by the famed clown Barnabé. While touring with frequent collaborator Patchol, Bénabar formed his own band in 1996, enlisting saxophonist Denis Grare, trumpeter Vincent Schaeffer, double bassist Stéphane Benveniste, and drummer Pascal Vignon. Dubbed Bénabar et Associés, they issued their debut LP, La P'tite Monnaie, in early 1998, spending much of the year to come on tour. Upon signing with major label Zomba, Bénabar issued a self-titled album in September 2001, followed by an extended tour in support of Henri Salvador. The LP went gold, and just 18 months later Bénabar issued the follow-up, Les Risques du Métier.
Another grinding tour schedule followed, yielding the concert set Live au Grand Rex. With 2005's Reprise des Négociations, Bénabar issued his most intimate collection to date, eschewing the social commentary that was the hallmark of previous records in favor of more explicitly autobiographical material, including the lead single, "Maritie and Gilbert Carpentier." On the heels of Reprise, Bénabar expanded his résumé to actor, as he appeared in several films. However, Bénabar returned to music three years later in 2008 with Infrequentable.
© Jason Ankeny /TiVo
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Discography
39 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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On lâche pas l'affaire
French Music - Released by RCA Group on 19 Nov 2021
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Le Début de la suite
French Music - Released by Jive Epic on 30 Mar 2018
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Le grand jour
French Music - Released by Verycords on 8 Dec 2023
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Indocile heureux
French Music - Released by RCA Group on 15 Jan 2021
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
EP Live (Live Grand Rex 2018)
French Music - Released by RCA Group on 3 May 2019
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Chevaliers sans armure (Au bénéfice de l'AFA)
French Music - Released by Jive Epic on 24 Jan 2024
Available in24-Bit/48 kHz Stereo -
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Tous les divorcés (Radio Edit)
French Music - Released by RCA Group on 19 Jun 2020
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Les belles histoires (Radio edit)
French Music - Released by RCA Group on 30 Oct 2020
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
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Inspiré de faits réels
French Music - Released by Jive Epic on 25 Aug 2014
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Infréquentable
French Music - Released by Jive Epic on 5 Apr 2009
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Les risques du métier
French Music - Released by Jive on 19 May 2003
The Qobuz Essential DiscographyAvailable in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Les Risques du métier
French Music - Released by Jive on 19 May 2003
The Qobuz Essential DiscographyAvailable in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Bénabar
French Music - Released by SBME Strategic Marketing Group on 11 May 2001
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
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Les bénéfices du doute
French Music - Released by Jive Epic on 5 Jun 2012
The Qobuz Essential DiscographyAvailable in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Live au Grand Rex (Live)
French Music - Released by Jive on 1 Oct 2004
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Reprise des négociations
French Music - Released by Jive on 21 Oct 2005
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -