Lakecia Benjamin is a 5x GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator whose music transcends the boundaries of jazz, R&B, funk, and soul. Known for her rich, resonant tone — often compared to that of the legendary Johnny Hodges — Benjamin has become one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary jazz. With her work, she has fused genres and broken down walls, continually evolving as both a performer and bandleader. Her 2023 release, Phoenix, a genre-blending masterpiece produced by Terri Lyne Carrington, earned her three GRAMMY nominations and widespread critical acclaim. Building on the success of Phoenix, Lakecia Benjamin also released Phoenix Reimagined (Live), further showcasing her creativity and artistry.
A Journey of Musical Mastery
Benjamin’s journey to becoming one of jazz’s most exciting voices began in New York City, where she was raised in the culturally rich Washington Heights neighborhood. Her early exposure to music, particularly through playing the recorder in grade school, set the stage for a future in music. She later switched to saxophone, and by high school, she was already a formidable player. After graduating from the prestigious Fiorello LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, she went on to study at New York’s New School, where she was mentored by jazz veterans like Billy Harper, Reggie Workman, Gary Bartz, and Buster Williams.
Benjamin quickly made her mark on the New York City jazz scene, playing in groups led by Clark Terry and joining ensemble projects with artists such as Rashied Ali, Vanessa Rubin, and James Blood Ulmer. Over time, she developed a unique voice, blending jazz improvisation with soul, funk, and R&B influences — a sound that would become her signature.
Breakthrough Albums: Retox and Rise Up
Lakecia Benjamin’s debut album, Retox (2012), marked her arrival as a bandleader. The album blended jazz with soul, funk, and hip-hop influences, featuring a mixture of originals and covers. Notably, she expanded her role as a bandleader, arranger, and composer, rather than simply focusing on her saxophone playing. Her versatility allowed her to explore a range of styles, and the album set the tone for her future projects.
In 2018, Benjamin released Rise Up, an album inspired by the music of Prince and contemporary R&B, paired with her deep jazz roots. The album was a jazz-funk tour de force, incorporating bold social commentary and contemporary rhythms, and it featured contributions from a variety of talented musicians, including vocalists and rappers. Rise Up continued to build Benjamin’s reputation as one of jazz’s most innovative voices, further demonstrating her ability to fuse genres while pushing the boundaries of modern jazz.
Pursuance: The Coltranes — A Groundbreaking Tribute
2020 saw the release of Pursuance: The Coltranes, a revolutionary project that honored the music of John and Alice Coltrane. Benjamin’s reinterpretation of their compositions was far from traditional. With a cast that included saxophonists like Steve Wilson and Greg Osby, bassist Reggie Workman, and vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater and Jazzmeia Horn, Pursuance was hailed for its innovative approach. Benjamin’s personal connection to the Coltranes’ music and her bold arrangements made this tribute an unforgettable contribution to the jazz canon. The album was widely praised for its creative reimaginings and for how it re-contextualized Coltrane’s legacy within the 21st-century jazz landscape.
Phoenix — A Star-Studded Masterpiece
In 2023, Benjamin released Phoenix, her most ambitious and successful project to date. Produced by the legendary drummer and producer Terri Lyne Carrington, Phoenix is a genre-defying fusion of jazz, soul, funk, R&B, and hip-hop. Featuring a remarkable cast of guests including Dianne Reeves, Wayne Shorter, Georgia Ann Muldrow, Sonia Sanchez, Patrice Rushen, and Wallace Roney, the album explores themes of transformation, empowerment, and resilience. The 12 tracks, mostly original compositions by Benjamin, reflect both personal and social themes, capturing the current moment while paying homage to her deep roots in jazz.
Phoenix received universal acclaim and earned Benjamin three GRAMMY nominations, marking a significant milestone in her career. The album’s unique blend of genres, intricate arrangements, and powerful collaborations made it one of the standout jazz albums of 2023. Benjamin’s saxophone playing, with its warm, full-bodied tone, was at the forefront, but the album’s expansive sound — incorporating lush vocal harmonies, electronic textures, and intricate rhythms — showcased her evolution as an artist who seamlessly blends the old and the new.
Phoenix Reimagined (Live) — A Dynamic Live Experience
Building on the success of Phoenix, Benjamin released Phoenix Reimagined (Live), a live album that captures the energy and spirit of her Phoenix compositions in a live setting. The album was recorded during live performances and reimagines the original tracks, providing listeners with a raw, unfiltered version of the material.
With Phoenix Reimagined (Live), Benjamin offers a fresh perspective on the album’s core themes and arrangements. The live performances are electric, featuring extended improvisations, dynamic group interplay, and unique versions of the songs that weren’t heard on the studio album. The energy of the live setting allows Benjamin and her bandmates to push the boundaries even further, creating a visceral connection between the audience and the musicians. The album features many of the same star-studded guests as the original Phoenix, but the live setting allows for a more spontaneous, open-ended expression of the music.
This live album is a celebration of the freedom of performance — an opportunity for Benjamin to experiment and engage with the audience in real time. It’s a testament to her skill as a bandleader and her ability to curate a compelling live experience that blurs the lines between genres and elevates the emotional impact of her work. Phoenix Reimagined (Live) proves that the music from Phoenix was not only innovative in its studio form but can be just as groundbreaking and exciting in the live arena.
Educator and Advocate
In addition to her performing career, Lakecia Benjamin is also a dedicated educator, teaching at institutions such as Jazz at Lincoln Center and Jazz House Kids. She works to pass on her knowledge to the next generation of musicians, particularly young women and people of color, empowering them to explore the rich world of jazz and beyond.
The Legacy and Impact Of Lakecia Benjamin’s Musical Evolution
Lakecia Benjamin’s contributions to contemporary jazz and beyond have made her one of the most compelling voices in modern music. From her early days as a sidewoman and collaborator to her development as a bandleader with groundbreaking albums like Retox, Rise Up, Pursuance: The Coltranes, and the genre-defying Phoenix, Benjamin’s work has continuously redefined the boundaries of jazz.
Her latest projects — Phoenix and Phoenix Reimagined (Live) — showcase her multifaceted artistry, blending jazz, funk, soul, R&B, and hip-hop in fresh and exciting ways. With these albums, Benjamin not only expands her musical vocabulary but also cements her place as one of the leading innovators in the jazz world today. Whether in the studio or on stage, Lakecia Benjamin’s music resonates with emotional depth, technical mastery, and a visionary spirit that is reshaping the future of jazz.