A charismatic and dynamic saxophonist and bandleader, 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.
A streetwise New York City native born and raised in Washington Heights, Lakecia Benjamin first picked up the saxophone at Fiorello LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. From there she joined the renowned jazz program at New York's New School University. However, even at that early stage, Benjamin was already playing with renowned jazz figures like Clark Terry and Reggie Workman, which introduced her to opportunities to play and tour with an array of artists such as Rashied Ali, the David Murray Big Band, Vanessa Rubin and James "Blood" Ulmer. With her deep jazz roots, she was soon in demand as an arranger and horn section leader, landing stints with such acclaimed artists as Anita Baker.
Currently Lakecia Benjamin's latest album "Pursuance" is an intergenerational masterpiece that takes one on a journey through the lineage of the music with the works of John and Alice Coltrane. Benjamin pays homage to those who have come before by featuring innovative bandleaders of her generation, such as, Reggie Workman (Coproducer and playing ), Ron carter , Gary Bartz, Dee Dee Bridegwater, Meshell Ndegecello, Regina carter, Bertha Hope, Last poets, Greg Osby, Steve Wilson, John Benitez, Marc Cary, Marcus Gilmore, Keyon Harrold, Marcus Strickland, Brandee Younger, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and Jazzmeia Horn.
Around Town with Mike Jeffers and Geoff Bradfield and Juli Wood
Around Town with Mike Jeffers and Jake Shapiro, Richie Goods and Chien Chien Lu
Around Town with Mike Jeffers and Anne and Mark Burnell and Clark Sommers
Around Town with Mike Jeffers with Eric Jacobson and Brett Dean
Around Town with Mike Jeffers and Steve Sedergreen
Around Town with Mike Jeffers and CHRISTIAN DILLINGHAM
Around Town with Mike Jeffers and Theodis Rodgers Jr.
Around Town with Mike Jeffers and Greg Spero
Around Town with Mike Jeffers and Jim Snidero
Around Town with Mike Jeffers and Ron Onesti
Around Town with Mike Jeffers - 6th Annual Labor Day Jazz Festival 2023 with Jim Holman
Around Town with Mike Jeffers and Greg Duncan
Around Town with Bear Williams
Around Town with Juan Pastor
Javier Red’s Imagery Converter, Life & Umbrella
Around Town with Mike Jeffers - Chicago Jazz Festival 2023 Preview with Eric Hochber
Chico Freeman, expanding his family’s musical legacy
0:01 / 5:28 Chicago Blues Legend Jimmy Burns Talks about his Musical History with Mike Jeffers
Nick Moss talks with Mike Jeffers about ”Get Your Back Into It” on Alligator Records - NEW RELEASE!
Chris Greene Talks about His Quartet’s 15+ Year Journey with Mike Jeffers on Around Town!
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Immediately Kinfolk
This Next Song‘s About - A Songwriter‘s Podcast
RAISING THE BAR
Life of the Record
No Jumper