Results for "Lakecia BENJAMIN"

Musician

Lakecia Benjamin

Lakecia is endorsed by Vandoren, Yanagisawa, Key Leaves, Sennheiser, and Conn & Selmer.

Voted by 2020 Downbeat Critics Poll Rising star Alto Saxophonist and Up and Coming Artist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association ,Charismatic and dynamic saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin fuses traditional conceptions of Jazz, HipHop, and Soul. Benjamin’s electric presence and fiery sax work has shared stages with several legendary artists, including Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, The Roots, and Macy Gray. As the bandleader of Lakecia Benjamin and Soul Squad, she melds the vintage sounds of James Brown, Maceo Parker, Sly and the Family Stone, and the Meters with soaring, dance-floor worthy rhythms. Benjamin’s grooves take the classic vibe to a whole new level with sultry alto saxophone creating something special on every cut – be it a smoldering late-night ambiance, or a forceful jazz intensity, or even the tight funk multi-horn harmony sections.

Video

Noble Rise

Featuring the music of Lakecia Benjamin
Duration: 06:14
February 22, 2026

Break-through alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin was a nominee for the 2026 "Best Jazz Performance" Grammy Award. This nod for her single release, "Noble Rise," is a testament to the band she assembled for the song and the chemistry they generated through the arrangement and natural stylings. Benjamin paired herself with a second alto, Immanuel Wilkins, for the lead line. Together they blend Coltrane-esque resonance with bop fire. The rhythm section is made full and propulsive by the inclusion of organ and percussion with piano, bass and kit. Finally, guitarist Mark Whitfield provides the perfect link between riffs, harmony and rhythm. "Noble Rise" kicks off a new direction for her music -- one driven by feeling powerful and in command rather than overcoming hurt (she earlier suffered a serious car accident). We’ll have to see what emerges as her next album but, based on the single, one should be eager to go along for the ride.

Article: What is Jazz?

2026 Winter JazzFest Marathons: A Survival Guide

by Ludovico Granvassu
January 6, 2026

For jazz fans who are in New York, when one countdown ends with the Times Square Ball Drop, another one begins--and ends a few days later, when Winter JazzFest officially gets underway with the first downbeat at Le Poisson Rouge. For 22 years, the festival has been the launch pad of the jazz year ...

Album

America (From West Side Story)

By The String Revolution

Label: Self Produced
Released: 2025
Track listing: America (From West Side Story).

Album

Phoenix Reimagined (Live)

By Lakecia Benjamin

Label: Ropeadope
Released: 2024
Track listing: Intro; Trane; Phoenix Reimagined; Let Go; Mercy; Amerikkan skin Intro; Amerikkan skin; Peace is Possible; New Mornings; My favorite things: Spirit.

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Lakecia Benjamin, Patrick Zimmerli, SFJAZZ Collective & Horace Silver

by Ludovico Granvassu
December 20, 2025

Enjoy a selection featuring A-listers who know how to collaborate and set their egos aside, plus an unearthed live gem from Horace Silver.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Lakecia Benjamin feat. Immanuel Wilkins, Mark Whitfield “Noble Rise" Noble Rise (Ropeadope) 0:16 Host talks 6:29 ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Holiday Music By Jeremy Pelt, Olivia Van Goor, New Releases From Mary Halvorson, the B.I.T. (Back In Time) Duo & More

by Mary Foster Conklin
December 15, 2025

This broadcast includes more Grammy nominees, holiday music from Jeremy Pelt, Olivia Van Goor, new releases from Mary Halvorson and from Italy the B.I.T. (Back In Time) Duo, plus birthday shoutouts to Cassandra Wilson, Melissa Aldana, Honorable Men Dave Brubeck, Ira Gershwin, Louis Prima, Cory Weeds, Ulysses Owens Jr., among others. Happy listening and please support ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Meet pianist and composer Kate Wyatt

by Cheryl K.
December 1, 2025

In this hour, an interview with award-winning Canadian pianist and composer Kate Wyatt. Her self-produced trio release is “Murmurations" with bassist Adrian Vedady and drummer Louis-Vincent Hamel.Playlist Patricia Brennan “Citlalli" from Of The Near and Far (Pyroclastic) 4:19 Billy Hart “Amethyst" from Multidirectional (Smoke Sessions) 9:29 [excerpt] Kate Wyatt “Succession" from Murmurations (Kate Wyatt) ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Jack DeJohnette, Horace Silver, Jerry Weldon & Lakecia Benjamin

by Joe Dimino
November 16, 2025

Kicking off the 932nd episode of Neon Jazz, we dive in with the always electrifying Lakecia Benjamin, joined by Immanuel Wilkins and Mark Whitfield on her powerful new 2025 single “Noble Rise." From there, we journey through a treasure trove of fresh and timeless jazz--unreleased gems from Horace Silver live in Seattle circa 1965, a stirring ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Patricia Brennan, Miho Hazama, Boz Scaggs, Hannah Gill, Rich Siegel, Josie Falbo, Steve Houghton, Tom Ricci & More

by Mary Foster Conklin
November 3, 2025

This broadcast includes new releases from Rich Siegel, Josie Falbo, Steve Houghton, Tom Ricci, Patricia Brennan, Miho Hazama, Boz Scaggs and Hannah Gill, with birthday shoutouts to Celia Cruz (100!), Jodi Proznick, Lakecia Benjamin, Emily Braden, Jane Bunnett, Jimmy Heath and lyricist Fran Landesman, among others. Happy listening and please support the artists you hear--see them ...