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| Member
Since |
Sep 24, 2007 |
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Record Label
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Somos Music Inc. |
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| Gender |
Male
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| Status |
Single |
| Smoke |
No |
| Drink |
Yes |
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Untitled Document
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About
The work of Benavides points to the future of Latin roots music in Canada. The young guitarist and singer who moved to Vancouver from Colombia in 1998 is forging a vibrant new sound an artful blend of traditional rhythms from several South American and Caribbean countries with elegant jazz-inflected pop and funk from his new homeland.
Leading a five-piece band that comprises some of Vancouver's finest Latin musicians Benavides mixes and matches styles and varies instrumental textures with deceptive ease. For instance in the opening bars of the song "Day by day" on his demo disc listen to the way the ostinato on the guitar carries into the cumbia beat from which the instrument re-emerges with a rock edginess. And throughout "Here with me" note how the music shifts naturally back and forth between Latin and pop-rock contrasting such elements as a fat electric bass and the dry acoustic sound of a Cuban tres.
Benavides's talent as musician vocalist, arranger, and sound engineer emerged during his student days at Bogotá's Javeriana University where the music program is one of the most prestigious in Latin America. Among his teachers was Julio Reyes a master at crafting intelligent pop who now arranges for Ricky Martin. Once in Canada Benavides continued his education enrolling in Capilano College's jazz program and learning his jazz chops from ace-guitarist Bill Coon.
In the past several years Benavides has earned a reputation around Vancouver as a versatile singer and musician with a command of both electric and acoustic guitars,. He performs regularly with acclaimed Chilean folk band Sumalao and with the quartet Candelaria. Its 2003 debut album Equilibrio Emocional (Emotional Balance) was recorded in the home-studio he built with his brother Miguel. The disc highlights Benavides's fresh approach to Latin song incorporating influences from the Beatles and Sting to Colombian rockstar Juanes.
Currently Benavides is working on material for his forthcoming solo album. Inside Us due to be released on his own Mucura Records label in September 2006. Interwoven with jazz pop, and funk, the roots elements in the new songs extend from Cuban cha cha cha and guajira (country-folk) to Brazilian bossa nova and Colombian bambuco While remaining accessible to North American ears the music is sophisticated melodically and harmonically. And the lyrics in Spanish and English are simple and direct speaking of everyday experience and the many shades of love.
Drawing on a broad range of influences and styles Benavides is creating bright new music that freely and fearlessly crosses the boundaries between North and South America.
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Spanish Translation by Google
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Purchase URL:
Artist Homepage: 
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