Lakecia Benjamin

Lakecia Benjamin is a New York-based saxophonist, arranger, and composer who melds R&B, jazz, and funk in an original style with a warm, resonant tone. Retox, her 2012 leader debut, offered originals and soul and funk covers. 2014's Rise Up, on Ropeadope, contained Prince-inspired jazz-funk jams. In 2020, she released Pursuance: The Coltranes. The widely acclaimed set contained six tunes each by Alice and John Coltrane, played by a large ensemble. In 2023, she issued Phoenix with a star-studded cast. The following year she released Phoenix Reimagined (Live) with a band that included John Scofield and Randy Brecker. In June 2026, Benjamin released We Dream, co-produced by Kassa Overall. The set included her own band and contributions from vocalists Black Thought, Bilal, and Tarriona "Tank" Ball, as well as contrbutions from Terence Blanchard, Chris Potter, and Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah.