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”. In 2010, Benjy delivered memorable performances at the annual “Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival” – both in Kingston and at the Greenfield Stadium in Trelawny.
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; and returning in 2010 for a special 20th Anniversary concert of which was a recipient of a Long Service Award . 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."


For more Information:

Contact:	My' Werks Music / Productions™
vMail:	876 808-7232
eMail:	mywerks.music@gmail.com / mywerks@yahoo.com
My' Werks Music/Productions:	http://www.myspace.com/mywerksmusic
The Benjy Myaz Social Network:	http://benjymyazsocialnetwork.ning.com
Interests:	GOD ALMIGHTY, Spirituality, Mankind, Music Production & Music Preservation.To be apart of a "Gobal Contributory Factor" which helps to sustain the cohesive existence of mankind on a global level using music as a part of that "Factor". Helping the less fortunate where & when i can impinge on such situations. Music & Film Production,Live Performances, Working with Autistic Children & Conducting Master Classes in Creative Music Education.
Honors & Awards:	Top Music Student -Herbert Morrison Tech. High.-1979-1984. Certificates from the Associated Board of The Royal Schools Of Music, UK 1979-1984. Certificate of Merit for Music/Tuba Solo- Jamaica Cultural Development Commission-1985. Awarded scholarship to Berklee Collage of Music by the Berklee Professional Music Scholarship Fund -Boston, USA -1988-89 academic year. JamPro's Trophy for Outstanding Contribution Midem Cannes, France 1997. Trophy for Participating Judge - AB'S Talent Parade Kgn.- 1998. Bronz Medal/Certificate from the NARAS for participation & productions in Toots & The Maytals "Ska Father" 41st Grammy Nominated -Best Reggae Album -1998. Most Consistent Caribbean Artist - Detriot, Michigan USA- 2000..Jamaica Federation Of Musicians Cornwall County- " Most Oustanding Achiever" -2000.Certificate of Appreciation-Griot Music event series- "Caribbean Escape"-2001..to name a few!