Roni Benise (better known by his stage name Benise, which is pronounced ba-niece) is an American guitarist whose style has been described as “new Spanish flamenco.” Benise came to Los Angeles in order to pursue his dream of being a rock star after growing up in Nebraska. As a result of hearing flamenco music on the radio, he decided to convert from electric guitar to classical guitar with nylon strings. After starting out busking on the streets and performing at local theatres and flea markets, he and a group of pals expanded their repertoire.  

Following these performances, he soon built himself a following of his own. Using Latin rhythms and a circus ambiance, Benise and his pals devised a show that they performed with their friends. He combines world music (particularly, highly Latin-flavored genres such as flamenco, salsa, tango, and samba accentuated by African tribal rhythms) with rock to produce a sound that appeals to both mainstream music listeners and world music connoisseurs. 

The combination attracted the attention of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), which resulted in his 2006-2007 Nights of Fire! production, which has broadcast on numerous PBS-affiliated stations and has received an Emmy Award for Best Drama Series. The performance is a fusion of theatre and music, with influences ranging from Spanish flamenco to Argentine tango to Brazilian samba and beyond. Benise has released eight CDs (seven studio albums and one live album) and two DVDs to far. Rosanegra Music, his own independent musical label, is owned by him.

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