Carlos Benavent is a Spanish bassist, composer and arranger. He is considered to be one of the most influential figures in modern flamenco music, and is also credited with helping to create the nuevo flamenco genre. He has collaborated with a variety of well-known artists, including Paco de Lucía, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, and Al Di Meola.
Born in Madrid in 1951, Benavent began playing the double bass at the age of 10. He studied classical music, and in 1971 he moved to Paris to further his studies in jazz. While in Paris, he began to explore flamenco music, and soon after, he formed his own group, Estudiantina. Estudiantina was one of the first groups to combine flamenco and jazz.
In 1977, Benavent released his first solo album, Estudios Flamencos, which featured some of his earliest compositions. He went on to release several more solo albums, and in the 1980s he formed the Latin fusion band, Cadaqués. Cadaqués was the first group to integrate flamenco, rock, and jazz influences.
Over the years, Benavent has collaborated with numerous renowned artists, including Paco de Lucía, Chick Corea, and John McLaughlin. He has also worked with jazz musicians such as Al Di Meola, Wayne Shorter, and Joe Zawinul. In addition to his own solo work, Benavent has composed for film and television, and his compositions have been featured in a number of films, including Pedro Almodóvar's High Heels.
In the 1990s, Benavent formed the group, Flamenco Vision, which featured a number of renowned musicians, including Paco de Lucía, Chick Corea, and John McLaughlin. The group released two albums, and they toured extensively.
In recent years, Benavent has continued to collaborate with a variety of artists, and he also teaches workshops around the world. He is considered to be one of the most influential figures in modern flamenco music, and his work has helped to shape the nuevo flamenco genre. He continues to tour and perform, and his latest album, “Viva Flamenco”, was released in 2016.
