Saxofonist

For this edition of Terence Blanchard’s UpSwing series, we present a double bill consisting of a rising master saxophonist and a guitar genius of the highest order.

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Lakecia Benjamin / Pasquale Grasso Trio

SFJAZZ Center

Lakecia Benjamin is a 5x 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.

Lakecia Benjamin

Folly Theater

To witness a live performance by the alto saxophonist, MC, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin is to never forget it.

Hart Plaza

Summer’s biggest party is back—now with a new partner! Since 1979, the two-day jazz festival has been a summer staple for adventurous listeners and fun-loving music fans in Los Angeles. In our first season with the Blue Note Jazz Club, you can go far out with jazz heroes like Lakecia Benjamin (whose Coltrane album you have to hear) or Joe Lovano’s excellent improv group the Paramount Quartet. NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater teams up with Grammy-winning pianist Bill Charlap, brass band royalty The Soul Rebels bring a little of that NOLA second-line spirit, and trumpeter Keyon Harrold shows why he was chosen to play Miles Davis’ parts in the Don Cheadle film Miles Ahead.

Blue Note Jazz Festival

Hollywood Bowl

Is it all just a pose? Not at all. Lakecia Benjamin may have a lot of visual plus points, but she also knows how to impress musically. The saxophonist has experienced a furious career leap with her current album »Phoenix«, which has even resulted in a Grammy nomination.

Museum Ludwig

Join us at the Marcus Performing Arts Center for an electrifying evening with the sensational Lakecia Benjamin, making her MPAC debut. Known for her vibrant fusion of jazz, hip hop, and soul, Lakecia brings her deep jazz roots and electric presence to the stage, promising an unforgettable performance. With her fiery saxophone skills, she has captivated audiences worldwide and shared stages with legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, and The Roots. Lakecia's performance will feature the quartet from her 2023 release, "Phoenix," an album celebrated for its cameos by jazz icons including Wayne Shorter and Dianne Reeves.

Event Details:
- **Date:** April 11, 2025
- **Time:** 7:30 pm
- **Location:** Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, 121 E State St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
- **Tickets:** On sale soon. Subscribe for three jazz shows, including this one, or contact our Group Sales team for group tickets.

Lakecia Benjamin's MPAC debut is not just a concert; it's a journey through the realms of jazz, enriched with the essence of funk and soul. Critics hail her as a "crafty traditionalist" who resonates with the rhythms of the young generation and a master of "musical storytelling at its finest."

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the dynamic and soul-stirring performance of Lakecia Benjamin. Subscribe now for seats and stay tuned for the announcement of single ticket sales. For more information, visit the Marcus Performing Arts Center website or call 414-273-7206.

Marcus Performing Arts Center

Lakecia is endorsed by Vandoren, Yanagisawa, Key Leaves, Sennheiser, and Conn & Selmer.

Lakecia Benjamin is a 5x 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.

Lakecia Benjamin & Phoenix

Jazz Showcase

One of the most sought-after and revered saxophonists of her generation, Lakecia Benjamin was voted 2020 Downbeat Critics Poll Rising Star Alto Saxophonist and was nominated for three 2024 GRAMMY© Awards. Benjamin is known for her charisma and for her inimitable skill of fusing jazz, hip-hop, and soul. This intimate onstage Jazz Club performance will be highlighted with selections from her four studio albums performed by her quartet, Phoenix.

Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts

This dynamic alto saxophonist fuses traditional conceptions of jazz, hip hop and soul. With three Grammy Award nominations for her most recent recording Phoenix — for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Best Instrumental Composition and Best Jazz Performance — Lakecia Benjamin is taking the jazz world by storm. “The wide sense of adventure on Phoenix,” says All Music, “reveals Benjamin as ambitious as she is focused, energetic and perceptive.”

Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix

Wortham Theater Center

hree-time GRAMMY®-nominated New York-based saxophonist, arranger, composer, and educator Lakecia Benjamin is known for her charisma and dynamism as a player and a composer. She has an inimitable skill of fusing traditional conceptions of jazz, hip-hop, and soul. Benjamin’s electric presence and fiery sax work have shared stages with several legendary artists, including Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, and The Roots.

Lafayette College

Join us for an electrifying evening of jazz at Caramoor with the sensational Lakecia Benjamin & Phoenix, presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center. This must-see event takes place on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 8:00 PM in the Jazz Music Room, located in the picturesque setting of Katonah, NY.

Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, known for her dynamic fusion of jazz, hip-hop, and soul, brings her quartet to the forefront of musical innovation. Recently voted Rising Star Alto Saxophonist by Downbeat Critics Poll and Up and Coming Artist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association, Benjamin's performances radiate unstoppable energy and captivate audiences with her charismatic stage presence.

The evening will feature music from Benjamin's latest and fourth studio album, "Phoenix," released via Whirlwind Recordings. This expansive album showcases Benjamin's virtuosic saxophone skills alongside an all-star cast of musicians, including contributions from Dianne Reeves, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Patrice Rushen, Sonia Sanchez, Angela Davis, and Wayne Shorter. Produced by the multi-Grammy-award-winning Terri Lyne Carrington, "Phoenix" marks a significant milestone in Benjamin's musical evolution.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the artistry of Lakecia Benjamin and her quartet as they pay homage to the lineage of jazz music while pushing its boundaries into new territories. Secure your tickets now for an unforgettable night of jazz at Caramoor.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit our website or contact the Caramoor Box Office.

The Rosen House at Caramoor

Lakecia Benjamin was voted 2020 Downbeat Critics Poll Rising Star Alto Saxophonist and Up and Coming Artist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association.
A charismatic and dynamic performer who has played alongside Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, The Roots, Macy Gray and many more, Benjamin also has an inimitable skill of fusing traditional conceptions of jazz, hip hop and soul in her original songs. For this Studio debut, Benjamin features the quartet from her 2023 release Phoenix, an album that featured cameos by some of Benjamin’s heroes including Wayne Shorter, Angela Davis, Dianne Reeves and Patrice Rushen.

Vanderhoef Studio Theatre

Voted “Rising Star Alto Saxophonist in the 2020 Downbeat Critics Poll and “Up and Coming Artist of the Year” by the Jazz Journalists Association, charismatic and dynamic young saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin fuses traditional conceptions of jazz, hip hop, and soul. For this JAI debut, Benjamin features the quartet from her 2023 release Phoenix, an album that also featured cameos by some of Benjamin’s heroes including Wayne Shorter, Angela Davis, Dianne Reeves, and Patrice Rushen.

The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center

It is easy to hear why saxophonist and composer Lakecia Benjamin was named a 2020 Rising Star by the Downbeat Magazine Critics’ Poll. A collaborator with artists as diverse as Alicia Keys, Gregory Porter, Anita Baker, and Clark Terry, Benjamin has proven versatility and excellence in multiple fields, but it is her third album as bandleader, Pursuance: The Coltranes, that best spotlights her virtuosity. Pursuance is a sax-driven set of standards by both Alice and John Coltrane, featuring Benjamin and her band joined by a stellar multi-generational lineup of guest artists. Benjamin breathes new life into the Coltranes' legacy, finding and reflecting the nuance and brilliance of these jazz titans.

The Studio at 414

Experience the magic of jazz at its finest with the Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour, featuring an ensemble of jazz luminaries including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, Lakecia Benjamin, Christian Sands, Yasushi Nakamura, and Clarence Penn. This special event is set to take place on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 8:00 PM at The Music Center at Strathmore.

Celebrating its 65th anniversary, the Monterey Jazz Festival is one of the jazz world's most enduring and essential institutions. The tour brings together an unparalleled lineup of talent, with NEA Jazz Master, Grammy and Tony Award-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater and Grammy winner Kurt Elling leading the charge. Under the musical direction of five-time Grammy nominee Christian Sands, this ensemble promises an unforgettable evening of jazz excellence.

The performance will showcase the artistry of 2020’s DownBeat Critics Poll Rising Star Alto Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, alongside the dynamic rhythm section of bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Clarence Penn. This event is not just a concert but a celebration of jazz's rich history and its vibrant future.

Co-presented with Strathmore, the Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour is a highlight of Washington Performing Arts’s The World in Our City initiative, promoting cross-cultural understanding and cultural diplomacy. Don't miss this opportunity to savor the world-renowned sound of the Monterey Jazz Festival right here in the DMV.

Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour

The Music Center at Strathmore

One of the jazz world’s longest-running and most-iconic events, the Monterey Jazz Festival celebrates its 65th year with a must-hear once-in-a-lifetime ensemble. Featuring Tony- and Grammy Award-winning NEA Jazz Master vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater alongside Grammy Award-winning vocalist Kurt Elling and critically acclaimed rising-star saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, this stellar band will be directed by visionary pianist Christian Sands and anchored by his longtime rhythm section, bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Clarence Penn.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

For 65 years, the Monterey Jazz Festival has played host to the greatest names in jazz. Now hear a collection of outstanding jazz stars in one performance as the Monterey Jazz Festival goes on tour.

McCallum Theatre

The illustrious Monterey Jazz Festival once again sends six of its finest jazz ambassadors to Berkeley as part of its popular touring program. Multiple-Grammy-winning vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater, among the “best-rounded and unique jazz vocalists singing today” (All About Jazz), and Kurt Elling, “the standout male jazz vocalist of our time” (The New York Times), scat, swoon, and soar as they bring swing standards, moody ballads, bop favorites, and Latin hits to life. The hard-swinging band is led by pianist Christian Sands, with rising-star saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin (Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys), and the well-oiled rhythm section of bassist Yasushi Nakamura (Wynton Marsalis, Hank Jones) and drummer Clarence Penn (Betty Carter, Maria Schneider).

Saxofonist

Lakecia Benjamin

Events

Past events

Mar 28, 2026

Lakecia Benjamin / Pasquale Grasso Trio · San Francisco Jazz

Nov 1, 2025

Lakecia Benjamin · Folly Theater

About

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