MICHELE BENSEN'S PAGE

Pittsburgh Connection

I was born in Chicago and came to Pittsburgh when I was 7 years old.
Pittsburgh will always be my home no matter where I travel.

Favorite Pittsburgh musicians/performers

My list would be WAY too long.

Favorite Jazz Radio or media station

WDUQ 90.5 FM & WJAS 1320 AM

Favorite Pittsburgh Jazz Venue

I miss The Encore and The Balcony, both were on Walnut St in Shadyside, and the Crawford Grill in the Hill District. Those clubs helped to keep musicians working on a steady basis in Pittsburgh. Cardillo's Club Cafe, Dizzy's, Dowe's were short lived in town but offered great venues for performers as well as patrons. CJ's in the Strip District has Jazz with Roger Humphries on Thursday nights.The Rhythm House in Bridgeville hosts the regular Sunday night Pgh. Jazz Society concerts, The Backstage Bar, The Cabaret at Theater Square and Manchester Craftsman's Guild offer weekly Jazz concerts . Restaurants like Guilifty's in Squirrel Hill, Martini's in Jefferson Boro, Blue in Allison Park, LUCCA on Friday nights on South Craig Street in Oakland, SPIN on Tuesdays on Ellsworth in Shadyside all offer Jazz music on certain nights.

About Me:

Michele Bensen Bio
Born in Chicago and raised in Pittsburgh, Michele Bensen, began singing professionally at the age of 16, performing in various Pittsburgh jazz nightclubs, theaters, hotels and restaurants. Michele began singing at a very early age in The Angel Choir at Christ United Methodist Church in Bethel Park, PA, where her mother taught Sunday School in the 60’s. She studied trumpet for eight years with Franklin Woodbury/ Pittsburgh Symphony, piano with Mrs. Marty Batiste at church, in addition to taking lessons in dance with Maryetta Evans, and musical comedy/drama with Mr. Lane Merrill at the renowned Pittsburgh Playhouse.
Michele has sung to audiences on the East coast including being the headline act on the Queen Elizabeth II and M/S Westward Cruise Liners, and guest artist at Blackbeard’s Castle in St. Thomas for three years.
She has performed at the old and new DUPLEX in NYC.
Michele won the 1988 “Backstage Best Bistro Vocalist’award from Backstage critic, Bob Harrington. She has opened for comedians, Angela Scott, Mario Joyner, Joy Bahar, Mike King, Kevin Meany and comedy writer, Maxine Lapiduss.
Bensen has been the opening act for Tony Bennett, The Four Freshmen,
Lionel Hampton, Diane Schurr, John Blake, Jane Ira Bloom and Herbie Mann
as well as being the headline act with her own band, "The Bensen Burners".
She has been in concert with national musicians; Bob Alberti, Ben Tucker,
Keter Betts, Roger Humphries, Carl Fontana, Harry Allen, Dave Pike and
Peter Appleyard.
More than 30 million children hear her as the voice of "Sara Bear"
on the children’s “Sticky Bear" software. Her radio voiceover work
includes a national commercial for “A Drug Free America”.
Her first CD "At Last" which features the Pittsburgh based
Bensen Burner Band, with Mark Strickland / guitar, Robbie Klein / sax & flute,
Steve Trettle / drums, Herb Marshall / bass & trombone, Keith Stebler / piano, was recorded in Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Bob Alberti, Pianist, Arranger, Conductor, Sun City, South Carolina
“Michele is a joy to hear and a pianist’s dream to play for. She makes an accompanist’s day!”

Frank Military, Warner/Chappel Music, Inc. Senior VP NY,
“I think this is the greatest new jazz singer to come along in many years and will be around for the new millennium and thereafter. This is an outstanding CD, “At Last”.

Tony Mowod, President of The Pittsburgh Jazz Society, Jazz host on WDUQ 90.5FM
“Michele is a great singer, a talented performer, a sincere humanitarian, and an excellent coordinator. When she assumes a responsibility, her dedication is only exceeded by her enthusiasm and support. She has charisma which encourages excellent leadership.”

Joe Negri, Guitarist on “The Mr. Roger’s Show”,
“Michele is a joy to work with and a joy to listen to, too!”

Ben Tucker, Bassist, Composer, Owner of Hard Hearted Hannah’s & WLVH/101.1 FM Savannah, GA
“It’s not often that you find an audience that becomes thrilled and excited to hear and see a performer such as Michele Bensen. She becomes electrifying and very brilliant in her performance, whether she is singing the blues, a ballad or a Broadway composition. She’s always on the money! She puts herself in the middle of it, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. Michele is it when it comes to singing.”

Ann Butler, writer Pgh. Post Gazette
”When Michele sings, people do far more than listen -- they feel, they move, they become immersed in her crystal clear sound and bask in the expressive energy of her voice. It's a voice that time and again has brought audiences to their feet reveling in her spirit. Bensen communicates to her audiences; she can make you laugh and she can make you cry. It comes from her heart.”

Artist or Fan

artist, industry professional