Acting
Bénabar
Bruno Nicolini, born on June 16, 1969, is better known by his stage name Bénabar. This French singer-songwriter is often likened to contemporaries like Vincent Delerm and shares influences with legends such as Georges Brassens, Renaud, Jacques Higelin, and Tom Waits. His music artfully captures the nuances of everyday life with a blend of humor and gentle cynicism. Bénabar's style draws heavily from French chanson, featuring prominent use of piano, accordion, and vibrant brass band arrangements, contributing to a distinctly French sound that prioritizes lyrical appreciation and celebrates the modern “guinche” culture adored by the urban bourgeoisie (Bobos).
Initially, Bénabar ventured into cinema, serving as an assistant on the 1991 film Le Brasier and directing several short films. His music career began alongside his friend Patchol, who coined the name "Bénabar," a playful twist on "Barnabé." Through performances in intimate venues across France, Belgium, and Switzerland, he gained recognition. The release of his self-titled album in 2001 elevated his profile, leading to a supporting act for Henri Salvador. In 2004, his album Les risques du métier earned him the "album chanson/variété of the year" award. His subsequent work, Reprise des négociations, achieved significant commercial success, with CD sales reaching 2.18 million euros in 2006. In 2007, he won accolades for "Male artist of the year" and "original song of the year" for "Le dîner."
Bénabar, a family man with two brothers, Patrick and Sébastien, is the proud father of a son, Manolo, born in 2004, and a daughter, born in 2009. Since 2007, he has been an active member of the Les Enfoirés charity ensemble.
