Benitez and Nebula -

Eddie Benitez (Nov. 12, 1956 — Jan. 17, 2019) was an American Latin-rock guitarist and bandleader from New York who released the 1976 album Night Life (as Benitez and Nebula) and the 1977 followup Essence of Life (as Benitez), both on Vaya Records.

Benitez band members: Eddie Benitez (guitar), Nancy O’Neil (vocals), Dino Cedeno (vocals, guiro), Thomas Hebb (bass), Larry Dvoskin (organ, moog, synthesizer, strings, piano), Joe Di Carlo (drums), Louie Castro (percussion), Jose Morales (bongos, timbales), Johnny Carro (trombone, piano), Gregory Hernandez (bongos, congas)

Background

Benitez and Nebula formed in New York when teenage guitarist Eddie Benitez assembled bassist–singer Victor Rodríguez, drummer–singer Jimmy Cruz, conguero Gregory Hernandez, timbalero Louis Castro, and keyboardist Bob Farian. Rodríguez brought prior doo-wop experience from a 1960s lineup of the Elegants and shared Nebula vocals with Cruz.

Benitez was born November 12, 1956, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His father worked as an embassy security supervisor and moved the family through Italy and Spain. At age six, Benitez began private classical-guitar lessons with Andrés Segovia after his father arranged the instruction. The family moved to New York City around his tenth birthday. His mother bought him an electric guitar after a lottery win, and Benitez shifted from classical study toward rock and Latin repertoire.

Nebula reached Fania Records after radio personality Polito Vega heard the group at a New York block party. Vega urged Benitez to cut a demo for the label. Fania co-founder Jerry Masucci signed the group after hearing the tape. Pianist Charlie Palmieri became a close mentor to Benitez within the Fania circle. Singer Nancy O’Neill joined the lineup after the contract. Louie Ramirez became producer when Benitez and Nebula entered the Night Life sessions for Vaya Records.

Discography: