Bénabar
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Bénabar (Bruno Nicolini, b. June 16, 1969) is a French songwriter and singer, who could be compared to Vincent Delerm and other singers from his generation. As many of them he was influenced by Georges Brassens, Renaud Séchan or Jacques Higelin but also Tom Waits. His songs describe day-to-day life events with humour and a tender cynicism. His songs draw influence from French Chanson and a heavy influence is placed on the accordion in his songs. This is not the kind of music one listens to for the music but rather to listen to, and appreciate the lyrics.
He began his career in the cinema, working as an assistant on Le Brasier (1991) and directed three short subjects Nada Lezard (1991), Sursum corda (1994) et José Jeannette (1992). He then turned himself to the music, working for some time with his friend Patchol who gave him his nickname (Bénabar being the "verlan" of Barnabé, the name he was using on stage). With "Les associés" he sang for several years in small places of France, Belgium, Switzerland before becoming more and more popular after the release of Bénabar (2001) that enabled him to be the first part of Henri Salvador. He was nominated in the Revelation for the "Victoires de la musique 2003" but did not win it. In 2004 he won the award for "album "chanson/variété" of the year".
He has two brothers called Patrick and Sébastien. He has a son born in 2004 and named Manolo.
[edit] Discography
- La p'tite monnaie (1997) by Bénabar et associés
- Bénabar (2001)
- Les risques du métier (2003)
- Live au Grand Rex (2004) - 2 CD
- Couche-tard et lève-tôt (2004) compilation of some songs from Bénabar and Les risques du métier released in Québec
- Reprise des négociations (October 24th 2005)
