Interview with Lakecia Benjamin by Jazz Institute of Chicago and Wanjiku Kairu

Lakecia Benjamin talks with Jazz Institute of Chicago and Wanjiku Kairu about her getting started on the recorder along to Biggie Smalls songs, playing with U2, Coltrane inspirations, her newest record Phoenix Reimagined, a shout out to the South Side of Chicago, playing at the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival and much more!
Lakecia Benjamin plays on Friday, August 30 on the Von Freeman Stage and Chicago’s Millennium Park at 3PM.
The Chicago Jazz Festival is produced by The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and programmed by The Jazz Institute of Chicago and Chicago Jazz Festival Committee.
ABOUT THE JAZZ INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO Since 1969 the Jazz Institute of Chicago has been promoting and nurturing jazz in Chicago. JIC helps jazz music thrive and expand by celebrating the work of past musicians, shining a light on present musicians, and making a brighter way for future musicians. This is realized through community and education programs, 90% of which are free. Jazz Institute of Chicago’s pillars include • provide jazz education • preserve the legacy of jazz • develop and support Chicago musicians • build Chicago’s jazz community • foster a thriving Chicago jazz scene
ABOUT Lakecia Benjamin
Lakecia Benjamin is a 3x GRAMMY nominated New York-based saxophonist, arranger, composer, and educator. Her music offers a unique meld of R&B, several strains of jazz, and funk. Her warm, resonant tone - that has been compared to Johnny Hodges - lends itself to any form of music she chooses to play. In addition to honing her chops early with Clark Terry and later Terri Lyne Carrington, she is also a noted accompanist for vocalists - among them Gregory Porter and Theo Crocker. Retox, her 2012 leader debut, offered a beat-conscious set of soul and funk covers and originals produced by Ben Kane. Benjamin played on “Right on Brotha,” the closing track from Robert Glasper’s Everything’s Beautiful in 2018, a collection of reimagined Miles Davis tracks. Her sophomore date, Rise Up for Ropeadope, contained a Prince-inspired series of original jazz-funk jams. In 2020, she released Pursuance: The Coltranes. The widely acclaimed set contained six tunes each by Alice and John Coltrane, with Benjamin leading a large cast that included former Coltrane sideman Reggie Workman. In 2023 she returned with the star-studded Phoenix. Produced by Carrington, it wed jazz, funky soul, R&B, and hip-hop with an all-star cast. The album brought upon three GRAMMY nominations and universal praise.
Benjamin was born in New York City and raised in Manhattan’s predominantly Dominican Washington Heights neighborhood. She played recorder in grade school and junior high where she also began writing songs and lyrics. She won admission to the Fiorello LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. It was there she began playing saxophone in earnest. She picked it up quickly and after graduating joined the renowned jazz program at New York’s New School University.
At New School she studied with jazz veterans including Billy Harper, Workman, Buster Williams, and Gary Bartz. Bartz proved an important mentor. He introduced her to training technical exercise techniques while facilitating her interest in the music of jazz saxophonists including Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Jackie McLean. She also played in and performed with Clark Terry‘s Young Titans of Jazz, and some of Workman’s ensembles. While struggling to make ends meet, she won paying gigs with Missy Elliott and Alicia Keys, widening her approach. These influences made their presence known on Benjamin’s Motema leader debut, Retox, in 2010. The unusual set included Benjamin’s Soul Squad band backing a number of singers and rappers in a host of originals and covers, some of which didn’t feature her horn at all.
In 2018, Benjamin issued her Ropeadope debut album, Rise Up, leading a large ensemble in a savvy jazz-funk update for the 21st century that included not only players but singers and rappers. In the aftermath, she played dates in and around New York, joined Porter’s road band, worked with Carrington, and was a featured musician and arranger for comedy star Craig Robinson. In addition to performing, Benjamin also became an educator, teaching at Jazz atLincoln Center and at Jazz House Kids.
In January 2023, Benjamin released Phoenix on Whirlwind Recordings. The 12-track, mostly original set was performed by her septet and produced by Terri Lyne Carrington. Phoenix featured many guests including Dianne Reeves, Georgia Ann Muldrow, Patrice Rushen, Wayne Shorter, Wallace Roney, Sonia Sanchez, and Angela Davis. The album led to three GRAMMY nominations, and universal praise.

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Great interview enjoyed watching your video