Name: Lakecia Benjamin
Start: 2024-10-16T20:30:00
Location: Blue Note Tokyo

Blue Note Tokyo

Prior to the Japan tour of "The Next Step Band Reunion", Kurt Rosenwinkel, known as the "Emperor of Modern Jazz Guitar", will perform a special stage with up-and-coming jazz musicians active in Japan. The members are popular players who are leading the new generation jazz scene, active in leader projects, various sessions, and bands: Shun Ishiwaka (drums), Mei Inoue (guitar), Shota Watanabe (piano), and Marty Holobec (bass). This will be the first time for Ishiwaka and Inoue to perform together with Kurt in 2016 as Shun Ishiwaka's clean-up trio, eight years ago, and for Watanabe and Holobec, this will be their first time performing together. What will these musicians, who are not limited to jazz but have been active in a variety of fields and have experienced numerous sessions, portray? Expectations are high for a thrilling development.

Shun Ishiwaka, May Inoue, Shota Watanabe & Marty Holoubek

The notable saxophone player, Lakesia Benjamin, will make her first appearance. Born and raised in NY, she studied under Billy Harper and Gary Bartz at the New School for Music. She has attracted attention for her sound that blends jazz, funk, and R&B, and has performed with many top artists such as Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, and Gregory Porter. She has also released ambitious works such as "Pursuance: The Coltranes," which challenges Coltrane's work, "Phoenix," which was nominated for three Grammy Awards in 2023 and features guests Dianne Reeves and Wayne Shorter, and the studio live album "Phoenix Reimagined." EJ Strickland and other talented members will accompany her on her long-awaited visit to Japan. We look forward to the arrival of the powerful "phoenix."