Bios
Michèle Benson
Cinematographer, Director, Entertainment Photographer
Michèle Benson is an award-winning filmmaker and entertainment photographer. Her subjects and clients have varied from entertainment venues, musicians, film directors to authors, and the international music industry on screen, in print and vinyl.
Michèle has been a consistent contributor to record labels, albums and tour books for Warner Brothers, Elektra Asylum, The Grammy Awards, Cleopatra Records, The Doobie Brothers, and more recently Eagle Rock Entertainment in the UK.
Her music album photography has garnered notability and awards working with Eagle Rock Entertainment, “Farewell Tour – The Doobie Brothers’, First Place Sam Seagull award, and Elektra Asylum, for Pat Simmons, (Doobie Brothers), ‘Arcade’, Dale Bozzio “Missing Persons”, Cleopatra Records. She has toured with The Eagles, Gregg Allman, The Doobie Brothers, Les Dudek, David Lindley (El Rayo X), Jackson Browne and others.
Michèle was cinematographer, director, screenwriter on the highly successful award-winning feature documentary ‘The Catalyst‘. This bohemian coffee house beginning in the 1960’s transformed into a world renowned music venue commanding respect and accolades of international musicians: Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Tina Turner, Billy Idol, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Y & T, Doobie Brothers, Neil Young, BB King, Bonnie Raitt, Greg Kihn, Starship, Van Morrison, Huey Lewis and the News, Iggy Pop, R.E.M., John Mayall, Ry Cooder, Patti Smith, The Tubes and more.
The Catalyst served as a jumping off point in the career of generations of musicians worldwide. The movie is hosted by rock musician, Greg Kihn. A permanent gallery of Michèle’s life sized rock photography resides on the walls of The Catalyst. ‘The Catalyst Film’ garnered three laurel leaf awards with an acclaimed tour of film festivals around the country.
Her photos have appeared in Rolling Stone, People, The New York Times, Musician Magazine, Guitar Player, Good Times, LA Weekly and more. Recently, her photography was published by Wise Music Group of London, in ‘All OR Nothing’ the autobiography of Steve Marriott, by Simon Spence. Michèle for many years had her own weekly music column, ‘Night Moves’ published by Good Times Magazine, which she illustrated with her live music photography.
Recently, Michèle has been a one woman production company filming the history of Santa Cruz’s musical legacy. ‘All Access – Music in the Cruz’, the film – which showcases the storied stages, backstage rooms, recording studios, and late-night jam sessions of the musical giants of our time. All Access; Music in the Cruz is garnered from excerpts of over 250 ‘behind the scenes’ interviews, studio sessions, live performances, and archival footage.
Santa Cruz represents every type of music imaginable—from Grammy Award winners to the latest rising talent. This new feature documentary is an ‘all access pass’ into 60 years of an extraordinary musical community, of musicians, luthiers, sound engineers, music venues, high-tech inventors, studios and international bands; as she pulls back the curtain into their world – and their undeniable power to craft a unique sound and spirit…that has stood the test of time.
Dean Newbury
Producer
Dean Newbury was born in Boston, Massachusetts in May of 1951, His father was the musical director of Barnum and Bailey Circus. He traveled with his family and the circus until the age of 6.
Dean grew up playing music and settled in Santa Cruz in 1972. He worked as the booking agent at The Catalyst and later changed careers and opened two restaurants. He currently resides in Felton, California and has a weekly variety show airing on Santa Cruz Community Television station.Dean Newbury worked at the Front Street Catalyst in 1972. In 1976 he along with the entire crew moved down to the Pacific Avenue location as it exists today.My inspiration was in the form of a gift to give father figure Randall Kane in 1998.
No one would ever understand this magic place and it’s people without a filmed history. Dean asked Michèle Benson, local entertainment photographer and Catalyst film historian for much needed help. Dean and Michèle worked for ten years to produce this documentary. Dean and Michèle would both like to thank Greg Kihn, all of the cast, crew, and musicians for their help throughout this project.Especially, Randall Kane for his passion and vision which lives on through the Catalyst.