Biography

“The man known as U-Nam, is destined to become one of the most controversial musicians.In the few recordings that I have heard, there is a conviction towards making himself felt by the general public, and the critics alike. It’s great to have a new voice on the guitar scene; one that is loaded with energy and excitement.”

-Ten time Grammy Award recipient, NAE Jazz Master and Guitar legend- -George Benson-

Born and raised in Paris / France, U-Nam began playing the guitar at age 12, and studied for three years at the Paris-based CIM – the first European school for jazz – between 1986 and 1989. At age 19 he turned professional, becoming a fixture at Paris studio sessions.

Well known throughout Europe and the US as a musical trendsetter and innovative player in Instrumental Music, Soul, and R&B, Emmanuel “U-Nam” Abiteboul has more than earned his reputation as a virtuosic guitarist and producer. Since his move to the US from Paris, France in 2007, Guitarist U-Nam has had the opportunity to perform, record and produce several of the top artists in the Smooth Jazz, R&B, and Soul genres. He has traveled throughout the US at events and Festivals including the Catalina JazzTrax Festival, Jazz on the Green, the JazzTrax Big Bear Festival, the Dave Koz and Friends Cruise et al. His performances extend outside of the US, he performed as one of the headline acts at the Dubai Jazz Festival in February 2010.

Originally a renowned producer, U-Nam has worked with a number of International Artists including Barry White, Kool & the Gang, Honeyz, Louis Fonsi, and MC-Solaar, earning him several Gold and Multi-Platinum records. In 2007, he established himself as a prominent solo artist with the release his sophomore album, “Back from the 80s” which included the #1 hit “Street Life”. “Street Life” stayed in the Top Three on the US Billboard Charts for three months and the Top Ten charts for an entire year.

In 2008, U-Nam signed with the prestigious guitar manufacturer, Ibanez. In their 2009 product catalog, he was honored with a double page feature alongside legendary guitarists George Benson, Pat Metheny, and John Scofield. He has since been featured in the 2010, 2011 and 2012 catalogs.

U-Nam has five album releases as a solo artist. “The Past Builds the Future” (2005) was #2 on SolarRadio UK (the largest soul radio station in the UK). The album had significant radio airplay in Europe and made it into the Top 47 on the US charts. “Back from the 80s” (2007) was the number one album of the year on Jazz FM, Steve Quirk’s Fusion Flavours, as well as a #1 on the US Billboard Charts. “Unanimity” (2009) has reached the Top 30 on the US Billboard charts with his hit single “Shine On”.

In recent years, he also released “The Early Tapes” and “The Best of.” His latest album “Weekend In L.A” ( A Tribute To George Benson ) will be released on August 29th 2012. U-Nam also hosted a successful jazz series entitled the “One-Soul Jazz Series” at the Cellar in Long Beach, California. The series has included popular Smooth Jazz Musicians such as Gregg Karukas, Michael Paulo, Tom Braxton, Kim Waters, Gail Jhonson, and Greg Adams. He was also considered for the 2009 Grammy’s in three categories including Best Improvised Solo and Best Pop Instrumental Song. In recent months, following the newly signed record deals with Village Again Japan and SkyTown Records USA, U-Nam has taken on the ambitious project of creating a George Benson Tribute, acknowledged as no small task by those familiar with the Legend’s music. But according to GB himself, U-Nam is surely qualified for this undertaking.


This album includes a MEGA ALL-STAR line up of artists and musicians including many of the talented performers that appeared on George Benson’s historic albums. Some of the artists on the album include but are not limited to: George Duke, Marcus Miller, Stokley Williams (Mint Condition), Phil Perry, Patrice Rushen, Paul Jackson Jr, Ronnie Foster, Andreas Oberg, Tim “TiO” Owens, Wah Wah Watson, Michael White, Dio Saucedo, and many more.

Within less than two weeks following its release, the album has already reached #1 on iTunes Japan for Jazz, #1 on Amazon US for Neo-Soul, and #1 on Amazon US for Smooth Jazz. It also has 10 entries in 6 categories for Grammy consideration. It has additionally received rave reviews from critics around the world.

As said by George Benson: “This monumental project includes some of my superstar friends who are among the world’s best known artists of our time. It is an honor to be the subject of this new guitar and musical star. This project sounds FANTASTIC…”

This past year, U-Nam also joined the Jazz/Fusion All-Star band “Grafitti” with a line-up that includes Dennis Chambers (Drums), Gary Grainger (Bass) and Haakon Graf (Keyboards). During their successful “Reunion” tour in California, highlighted by the Guitar Center Drum Off at the Club Nokia in Los Angeles, they released a live album called “Live in California”. Grafitti also had a recently successful tour in the famous Igor Butman Jazz Club in Moscow, Russia. T he show sold out every night. In light of this success, Grafitti is preparing for a tour in Europe and Russia.