Benjamin Faconnier is a French-Reunionese trumpet player, singer and music composer born in Perpignan, France. He started playing the trumpet at the age of 17, and it was at the Montpellier conservatory, where he graduated in jazz, that he developed a real interest for improvisation, and for the in-depth study of his instrument. During these years, Benjamin has participated in numerous studio sessions, recording on 16 albums (the last one being his own composition project), and has also performed extensively with various projects he has been a part of, either in his own name or in formations such as The Unknown project (Original Cinematic Concept), The Skamanians (Original Ska), The Carolina Reapers Swing (Swing), L’Orchestre Syncopatique (New Orleans), and more recently the GROô (under the direction of Fred Pallem), to name a few. He has also acquired experience during tours and one-off concerts in France and abroad: Reunion Island, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Bulgaria, Tunisia, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Benjamin draws his inspiration from the music of African- American masters such as Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, from more contemporary musicians such as Roy Hargrove, Ambrose Akinmusire, Xian (Christian Scott) Atunde Adjuah, but also from Maloya, the traditional music of Reunion Island and its African roots, where he is originally from. All this, leads Benjamin today to lead his first composition project: Papillon.
Nicolas Beaulieu is one of the most active and sought-after guitarists on the Réunion Island music scene (Baster, Frédéric Joron, Tine Poppy, Tikok Vellaye). He graduated from the Music Academy International and the Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood, and earned his Jazz DEM (Diploma of Musical Studies) at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional of Réunion in 2012.Versatile and open-minded, he thrives in all musical styles—from contemporary music to traditional genres. A passionate jazz musician, he has performed with Luc Joly, Olivier Ker Ourio, François Jeanneau, Michel Boss, Pierre Eden Guilbaud, Rémy Chaudagne, and Philippe Thomas.
Luigi Lefevre began playing music at the age of 15, firstly with the guitar, followed by the bass, which would become his instrument. Influenced mainly by progressive rock and metal, he discovered Jaco Pastorius who would become his reference. In 2017, he began training at ÉMA Réunion (school of contemporary music) and obtained a MIMA diploma (Musician Performer of Current Music) in 2020. He developed numerous musical and artistic skills there and was interested in a wide variety of musical styles. , ranging from jazz fusion to maloya (traditional music from Reunion Island), including funk and soul. These different styles constituted so many influences for Luigi whose eclecticism is the basis of his artistic vision. In 2018, he joined the group Second Brain, an ambitious project mixing funk, jazz and rock. He has since had the opportunity to join other very different groups, such as the Orphée orchestra, the sega group Kayen, Rebirth, a thrash metal group, or Ravnal, a sega-maloya project. with whom he recorded an album released on January 26, 2022.
Valentin Suzanne is a rising talent among the new generation of Reunionese drummers. A graduate of EMA (École des Musiques Actuelles), he draws his inspiration from the modern American scene, bringing a fresh, contemporary edge to the band’s sound. Valentin already has solid experience across a wide range of styles, including reggae, rock, and pop. His versatile groove, sharp musical instincts, and creative energy make him a key force in shaping the modern identity of the project.
Julien Rivière is a percussionist from Réunion Island, deeply rooted in traditional Maloya music. A member of the renowned group Zarlor Maloya, he also collaborates with various artists across genres, including The Papillon Project, where he brings the organic sound of Maloya into a contemporary fusion. Passionate about transmission, he teaches traditional music in schools and is experienced in organizing tours with creativity and dedication.
papillonmusics.com 