Charismatic and dynamic saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin fuses traditional conceptions of jazz, hip-hop, 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 rhythms. Benjamin’s grooves take the classic vibe to a whole new level, with sultry alto saxophone creating something special on every cut—smoldering late-night ambiance, forceful jazz intensity, or tight funk multi-horn harmonies.
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.