Lakecia Benjamin

Her acclaimed albums "Phoenix" and "Pursuance: The Coltranes" have firmly established her among jazz's foremost artists, with praise from The New York Times, The Guardian, and DownBeat.

"Phoenix" earned her three GRAMMY nominations and an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Jazz Album. Named Alto Saxophonist of the Year by the Jazz Journalist Association and Jazz Scholar by the Library of Congress, Benjamin's prominence continues to rise. In 2024, she released "Phoenix Reimagined" (Live) on Ropeadope, featuring collaborations with John Scofield, Randy Brecker, and JeU “Tain” Watts. Her performance was highlighted on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and received exceptional reviews during her debut on NPR’s Tiny Desk, further showcasing her exceptional talent.

Her sixth album, "We Dream"  is releasing on June 5 on Artwork Records. It reflects what Benjamin describes as a shift in perspective — a response to the present moment and the world around her.

“It felt like that story couldn’t go all the way, given the state of the world,” she says. “So I started thinking about the idea of being a bright light in a dark space. Things feel really dark right now — everywhere — and we’re trying to be that light.” 

Featuring Oscar Perez (Piano), Elias Bailey (Bass), Jonathan Barber (drums)