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Benjy Myaz
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Musician, Producer, Recording and Performing Artiste
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- Pittsburgh Connection
- Mr Small's Fun House ...
- Favorite Pittsburgh musicians/performers
- Tony Smith, Fyah Wyah, Larry Luther, Mike Speranzo, Liz Berlin -of rusted rootand the crew @ Mr. Small Recording Studios, Theatre & Funhouse...Doug Lane, Matt Vucic to name a few....
- Favorite Jazz Radio or media station
- Been checking out www.Sky.fm.com
Its really kool....!
- About Me:
- Benjy Myaz -Musician, Vocalist, Producer, Arranger, Songwriter, Recording and Performing Artiste
“A fine line separates musicians who play music to live and those who live to play music. I live to play music…it is my life” Benjy Myaz
Benjy Myaz was born in a little town called Haddington, Hanover, on the island of Jamaica. He and his other seven musical siblings were exposed to music at an early age, playing with the band in their father's church. Benjy quickly learned the guitar and was always eager to play at devotions in primary school and do rehearsals with the church groups. He went on to study music at Herbert Morrison Technical High School in Montego Bay. After leaving school in 1984, Benjy taught music for two years at the high school level and began further studies with private tutors earning tertiary accreditation from the London Royal School of Music.
Benjy’s professional musical career began when he started working in Jamaica’s tourist industry, playing in most of the north-coast hotels for nearly eight years. During that time, Benjy applied and received a scholarship to Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Faith, in its divinity, wouldn’t have it that way. He, however, went on to develop skills in bass playing, arranging, songwriting, and music production; and his career as a musician is credited to his vast knowledge about music.
This musician has command of at least seven instruments, with his first love being the Bass. This he owes to diligent studies and an innate love for music. According to Benjy, “When a musician is formally trained, it allows him or her to appreciate the origin and growth of music. It gives you deeper perspective about your craft.”
As a producer, he got his first big break in 1986 when he arranged and produced a remake of Brooke Benton's classic, “So Many Ways”, performed by Dennis Malcolm, which went to the number one position in Jamaica, England, and New York. With hopes of touring as a bassist, Benjy became a member of the Rhythm Kings Band, touring with several artistes including: Jimmy Cliff, Culture, Toots and the Maytals, Shinehead, and J.C. Lodge. His other credits include appearing as a bassist for the chorale, Sounds of Blackness and also Jimmy Cliff.
During this period, he realized his other dreams: singing, writing, and arranging music. The nineties afforded him the opportunity to produce, write, arrange, and collaborate with top Reggae/Latin/Pop/Gospel/Folk/Urban recording artistes such as: Third World, Garnet Silk, Ken Boothe, Joan Myers, Joanna-Marie, Pam Hall, Michael St. George, Bankie Banx, Freddie McGregor, and Jazz Pianist Onajae Allan Gumbs. Myaz has written and co-produced several projects with ace producer, Bobby Digital, including tracks on Sizzla’s album, “The Real Thing” and Capleton’s “Reign of Fire”, among others. He has also produced several musical projects for Fyah Wyah.
As a solo act, he performed alongside international artistes: Jeffrey Osbourne, James Ingram, Gladys Knight, Angie Stone, Kevon Edmonds, Bankie Banx and Peabo Bryson at the Buzz Production’s “To Mom With Love” concert series held in Jamaica. He performed at “World Food Day” (Nov. 2000) at James Bond Beach, Ocho Rios; “Reggae Sumfest” (Jamaica’s premier music festival); and the “Jamaica Jazz Festival”.
Benjy says one highlight of his career, was performing his first single, a cover of “Love You Higher” at the Prime Minister's Ball in 2000, alongside international recording artiste Randy Crawford (who had originally recorded the song) to her surprise and delight. Prior to that memorable performance, having released the cover in 1995, it had been receiving massive airplay and has become a classic in the annals of Reggae music.
On the international scene, Benjy toured Japan following the launch of his album “Time Together” to promote its release. He also performed at “Midem ‘97” (France); and Anguilla's annual “Moonsplash”, held in March 2007, where he appeared as bassist and musical director for Bankie Banx, and has been since 1997; taking a break in 2008 and 2009. In 1999, he received a Nomination Medal & Certificate from the Grammy Committee for being a part of Toots and the Maytals Grammy-nominated album.
To date, Benjy has released four albums. His debut album, “Intimate Relationship” was released in the U.S. in 1997. “Time Together” was released in Jamaica and Japan in 1998; and the U.S. in 2000 (VP Records). His own label, My’ Werks Music, released “Long Story Short”, the third vocal album, in November 2005.
Prior to completing “Long Story Short”, Benjy produced an instrumental album titled, “You’ve Got Me”…the first of its kind ever produced in Jamaica - featuring the sound of the Bass as the lead instrument up front. “You’ve Got Me” – also on his My’ Werks Music label – was officially released, in Jamaica, in October 2009.
Music lovers are going to love experiencing this side of Benjy Myaz. In order to accomplish the variations, he utilized his knowledge of other instruments to transform the bass’s melodies. He states, “The Bass was always an accompanying rather than a lead instrument and the concept was to create melodies and not make them sound repetitious or monotonous.”
This instrumental album he says, “was strongly inspired by fusion musicians like: Herbie Hancock, George Duke and, in particular, bass players Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Jaco Pastorius.” It has international appeal, but does not leave out the ‘Reggae feel’, which, Benjy says “…brings back the album to its grass roots."
Benjy continues to tour and perform in Jamaica and on the international scene, always creating new music and recording new sounds. According to Benjy, “I am about chasing creativity, not the competition."
Other Websites:
www.myspace.com/benjymyaz
www.linkedin.com/in/benjymyaz
http://TheBeat.fm/bands/530/
http://www.sonicbids.com/BenjyMyaz1
Find more photos like this on Benjy Myaz Social Network
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Music
'Smile Jamaica' Its Morning Time(Live on Television of Jamaica..tvj)
Benjy Myaz's Blog
BENJY MYAZ RIDING THE CHARTS ON THEBEAT.FM
August 11, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Benjy Myaz has, consistently, been on the charts of TheBeat.FM (www.thebeat.fm) Internet Radio for the past year. He now occupies numbers one through five on their “Top 20 Singles Chart”; and is holding down the number three spot on the “Top 10 Artists” list. Based in San Diego, California, USA, TheBeat.FM boasts a listenership of approximately seven million persons, worldwide.
Occupying the number 1 spot is the ever-green hit “Love You Higher”; followed… Continue
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Benjy Myaz has, consistently, been on the charts of TheBeat.FM (www.thebeat.fm) Internet Radio for the past year. He now occupies numbers one through five on their “Top 20 Singles Chart”; and is holding down the number three spot on the “Top 10 Artists” list. Based in San Diego, California, USA, TheBeat.FM boasts a listenership of approximately seven million persons, worldwide.
Occupying the number 1 spot is the ever-green hit “Love You Higher”; followed… Continue
Posted on August 12, 2009 at 10:10pm —
LIVE MUSIC AT ITS BEST FROM BENJY MYAZ AND FRIENDS
ENTERTAINMENT
LIVE MUSIC AT ITS BEST FROM BENJY MYAZ AND FRIENDS
Basil Walters
Friday, June 19, 2009
For singer, musician, producer Benjy Myaz, it has all come full circle, and that is the revival of jam-sessions where musicians perf… Continue
LIVE MUSIC AT ITS BEST FROM BENJY MYAZ AND FRIENDS
Basil Walters
Friday, June 19, 2009
For singer, musician, producer Benjy Myaz, it has all come full circle, and that is the revival of jam-sessions where musicians perf… Continue
Posted on August 12, 2009 at 10:09pm —
BENJY MYAZ STRIKES THE RIGHT NOTE FOR AUTISM
By Basil Walters Observer staff reporter
Friday, March 20, 2009
With an increasing number of local entertainers becoming more caring and reaching out to the less fortunate among their fellowmen, recording artiste, vocalist/musician and producer Benjy Myaz once more strikes the right chord.
Myaz.... it's within my mission statement to help autistic kids in Jamaica, those talented ones
Joining the growing list of Jamaican artistes who are a part of the trend of going beyond just highlighting in th… Continue
Friday, March 20, 2009
With an increasing number of local entertainers becoming more caring and reaching out to the less fortunate among their fellowmen, recording artiste, vocalist/musician and producer Benjy Myaz once more strikes the right chord.
Myaz.... it's within my mission statement to help autistic kids in Jamaica, those talented ones
Joining the growing list of Jamaican artistes who are a part of the trend of going beyond just highlighting in th… Continue
Posted on March 31, 2009 at 2:00pm —
"You've Got Me" The New Jazz/Reggae/R&B -Fused Bass instrumental album/Cd
"You've Got Me"
Over the years, musical geniuses such as Jaco Pastorious, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, John Pattatucci to name a few have advanced the technique of utilizing the bass, not only as a root instrument, but also to hold together the melody of a song. With this influence, I was challenge… Continue
Over the years, musical geniuses such as Jaco Pastorious, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, John Pattatucci to name a few have advanced the technique of utilizing the bass, not only as a root instrument, but also to hold together the melody of a song. With this influence, I was challenge… Continue
Posted on March 19, 2009 at 9:30pm —
Benjy Myaz' 'Werks' delight at RedBones
published: Wednesday | October 8, 2008
Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer
At times Benjy Myaz relaxed on a high stool and led with his guitar, at other points he came front and centre and led with his voice, still with plucking the strings. Sometimes his voice stood on its own, at one point it alternated with special guest A'lisa, at others it gave way to Charmaine Limonius, just as he did with the guitar and saxophone of Courtney Fadlin.
In all cases the musician and singer, along with the band, delight… Continue
Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer
At times Benjy Myaz relaxed on a high stool and led with his guitar, at other points he came front and centre and led with his voice, still with plucking the strings. Sometimes his voice stood on its own, at one point it alternated with special guest A'lisa, at others it gave way to Charmaine Limonius, just as he did with the guitar and saxophone of Courtney Fadlin.
In all cases the musician and singer, along with the band, delight… Continue
Posted on October 10, 2008 at 12:00pm —
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I would love to feature "you" as a guest on my show...The radio show is geared towards helping business owners,entrepreneurs,unsigned talent,and anyone else get added exposure to their business...INTERESTED????...if so, first go to BLACKSTARTUPBIZ.COM...sign up...become a member...Click 2 BE A GUEST..then call me @ the offc...757 538 3540 so I can then set you up a date and time to be a featured guest....also if I am not your friend please add me as your friend...thanx...Please join my network Blackstartupbiz.com....I would love to have "you" there!!!...also while there check out my interviews with Erotic Author Zane...Twista...his new single "Wetter"...and my interview with Barry Gordy's new artist Leigh Jones and her wonderful music as well!!!!.....JB
E
I have one of your old records. I am of Jamaican parentage and not too long returned from JA. You sound great.
Continued Blessings,
Elaine aka Dr. E
Best Wishes,
L'Tanya
Much love and success!
Kisses,
May
Thank you for joining and sharing your gifts with us on the PJN. I'm sure the crew at Mr. Smalls will remember you and be glad to be able to reach you through this network.