Daniel Benisty - Musician, Teacher, Bandleader

About

Daniel is a Pianist, Singer, Music Teacher, Entertainer and Bandleader

Originally from London, Daniel started his musical journey in his 20s whilst living and working in Switzerland. Developing as a Jazz Pianist and Blues singer (separately), Daniel studied jazz at EJMA and toured as a singer with a number of Swiss bands who performed regularly at Blues, Jazz and Rock festivals in France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy. Alongside a passion for Jazz and Blues, Daniel’s operatic and musical theatre styles have seen him perform on a variety of stages across the UK and Europe where he has performed as Elvis (Geneva, Switzerland), Freddie Mercury (Frankfurt, Germany) and as a lead Italian tenor in a London production of “Lend me a Tenor”.

After three years as pianist/singer on various Cruise Ships, Daniel returned to London in 2010 to quickly be selected as Musical Director of events and resident pianist at Caffe Concerto, The Ivy and The RAC Club. Alongside London-based residencies and events, Daniel has made festival performances at Bestival, Wireless Hyde Park and Somerset House as well as guest artist appearances at Pizza Express (Chelsea and Soho), The Savoy (Beaufort), Piano Bar, Toulouse Lautrec, Piano Works, Bassoon Bar, New Players Theatre, Cafe de Paris, Ronnie Scott’s and The Phoenix Arts Club.

As well as performing as a singer at a wide variety of venues, festivals and private events, Daniel has also worked as a coach and educator for pianists and singers – some of whom have achieved success with Music School Scholarships, Musical Theatre roles and TV Talent Shows. As a songwriter, Daniel has collaborated with a vast array of producers including Queen’s former producer David Richards, as well as working with fresh talent – some of whom started as his singing pupils in their teens .

At heart, as well as having a great love for variety, world music, musical theatre and classical music, Daniel remains primarily a singer/pianist in the jazz/blues tradition, with his most enduring influences being Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, Oscar Peterson, Tom Waits, John Coltrane, Jeff Buckley, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles and Nina Simone.

Alongside performances, concerts, weddings and special events, Daniel has been a piano, guitar, singing, theory and musicianship teacher to adults and children since 2008. Assisting beginners and advanced with everything from basic sight-reading, exam preparation, audition preparation, GCSE/A-Level Music preparation, jazz theory, arrangement, songwriting and production, Daniel takes great pleasure in seeing improvements in children and adults alike.

Daniel has helped students achieve qualification at the following exam levels

ABRSM Piano Grades 1-8 / ABRSM Guitar Grades 1-5 / ABRSM Voice Grades 1-8 / ABRSM Theory Grades 1-8 / ABRSM Jazz Piano Grades 1-5
Trinity Guitar Grades 1-5 / Trinity Piano Grades 1-5

Daniel has also helped students gain entry and music scholarships to Sylvia Young, St Marylebone’s, Haberdasher’s and Stagecoach. During his tenure as Musical Director of Caffe Concerto, Daniel worked with X-Factor, BGT and The Voice to scout, promote, accompany and direct new talent.

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