Lakecia Benjamin

Lakecia Benjamin
Born New York City, New York, U.S.
Genres Jazz, funk, R&B
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Saxophone
Labels Motéma
Website www.lakeciabenjamin.com

Lakecia Benjamin is a jazz, funk, and R&B saxophonist.

Benjamin was born and raised in New York City.[1] She grew up in a Dominican neighborhood in Washington Heights, Manhattan and played merengue, salsa, and Latin music.[2]

As a touring musician she has performed with Missy Elliot and Alicia Keys.[3] She has performed on four continents, for President Barack Obama's 2009 Inauguration, and with Clark Terry, Reggie Workman, Rashied Ali, the David Murray Big Band, Vanessa Rubin, and James Blood Ulmer. She started the band Soul Squad to showcase her compositions.[4]

Early life

Benjamin was raised Washington Heights, a neighborhood in New York City. In grade school, she studied recorder. She attended Eleanor Roosevelt Junior High School in New York City. She says she has been writing songs and lyrics since the age of 13. She began playing the saxophone while attending Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts in Queens, New York. She attended The New School in New York City.

Her beginnings in music were Latin dance music. She played salsa and merengue.[5]

Career

Saxophonist Bruce Williams was an early mentor who introduced her to training technical exercise techniques such as Hyacinthe Klosé’s 25 Daily Etudes. He introduced her to the music of jazz saxophonists Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Jackie McLean. While at the New School University, she studied under tuba player Bob Stewart, Reggie Workman, Buster Williams, Joe Chambers, Gary Bartz, and Kenny Garrett.[6]

Benjamin's first job was with trumpeter Clark Terry in a band that he started called Young Titans of Jazz.[7][8] She has performed with the Hop Spot Horns and with Rashied Ali, Anita Baker, Count Basie Orchestra, Harry Belafonte, Blitz the Ambassador, Joanne Brackeen, Keyshia Cole, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Corte Ellis, Kool & the Gang, Macy Gray, Jimmy Heath, Vincent Herring, Bertha Hope, Alicia Keys, Ulysses Owens Jr., Charlie Persip, The Roots, Santigold, Charles Tolliver, Charenee Wade, Steve Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Reggie Workman, and the Yamin Jazz Quartet.

She performs with Gregory Porter, Craig Robinson and his Nasty Delicious Band, and Jonathan Powell, who is on her debut album.

Benjamin's band toured for three years, performing music from her debut album, Retox. The album includes Krystle Warren, Amp Fiddler, Maya Azucena, Melanie Charles, Kit McClure Big Band, ChinahBlac, and Mavis Swann Poole. The album was co-produced by Ben Kane.[9][10]

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Ratliff, Ben (1 February 2015). "Jazz & Colors: The Masterworks Edition Takes Over the Metropolitan". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "Motema Music. Artists of power and distinction since 2003". Motema Music. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  3. ↑ Murph, John. "Lakecia Benjamin: Rising Soul". JazzTimes. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Jazz Listings for Oct. 14-20". Nytimes.com. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  5. ↑ "Lakecia Benjamin - Revive Music". Revive-music.com. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  6. ↑ "Lakecia Benjamin: Rising Soul". JazzTimes.com. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Lakecia Benjamin Marches On". Lincoln Center (in Indonesian). Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  8. ↑ "The Jazz Drama Program Archives - Eli Yamin". Eli Yamin. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  9. ↑ http://fadeagency.com/. "Motema Music. Artists of power and distinction since 2003". Motema.com. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  10. ↑ "DownBeat News". DownBeat. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
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