{"title":"Lakecia Benjamin","description":"\u003cp\u003eBorn and raised in New York City's Washington Heights, a predominantly Dominican neighbourhood in Manhattan, Lakecia Benjamin is a six-time Grammy-nominated alto saxophonist, arranger, composer, and educator whose music offers a unique meld of jazz, funk, soul, R\u0026amp;B, and hip-hop, with a warm, resonant tone compared to Johnny Hodges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenjamin's first job was with Clark Terry's Young Titans of Jazz, and whilst still a student she was already playing with renowned jazz figures including Reggie Workman, which led to gigs and tours with Rashied Ali, the David Murray Big Band, Vanessa Rubin, and James \"Blood\" Ulmer. With her deep jazz roots, she was soon in demand as an arranger and horn section leader, landing stints with Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Macy Gray, The Roots, Anita Baker, Count Basie Orchestra, Harry Belafonte, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Kool \u0026amp; the Gang, Missy Elliott, and Gregory Porter. Her 2012 leader debut \u003cem\u003eRetox\u003c\/em\u003e on Motéma offered a beat-conscious set of soul and funk covers and originals produced by Ben Kane, followed by \u003cem\u003eRise Up \u003c\/em\u003e(2018) on Ropeadope containing a Prince-inspired series of original jazz-funk jams. In May 2020, she released \u003cem\u003ePursuance: The Coltranes\u003c\/em\u003e on Ropeadope, an intergenerational masterpiece featuring six tunes each by Alice and John Coltrane with sometimes radical reinterpretations, featuring an all-star cast including Gary Bartz, Steve Wilson, Greg Osby, Bruce Williams, Reggie Workman, Meshell Ndegeocello, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jazzmeia Horn, Regina Carter, and Brandee Younger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer fourth studio album \u003cem\u003ePhoenix\u003c\/em\u003e appeared in January 2023 on Whirlwind Recordings, produced by Terri Lyne Carrington and exploring themes of rebirth and female empowerment following Benjamin's 2021 car accident recovery, featuring guests including Dianne Reeves and Georgia Anne Muldrow. Voted 2020 DownBeat Critics Poll Rising Star Alto Saxophonist and Up and Coming Artist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association, Benjamin was selected as 2023 Monterey Jazz Festival Artist-in-Residence and teaches at Jazz at Lincoln Center and Jazz House Kids.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"lakecia-benjamin-phoenix-2023-whirlwind-gold-marble-2lp-limited-edition","title":"Lakecia Benjamin - Phoenix (2023 Whirlwind Gold Marble 2LP Limited Edition)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLakecia Benjamin - Phoenix\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDouble Vinyl LP - 2023 Whirlwind\/Second Records Limited Edition Gold Marble\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLimited to 500 copies worldwide\u003c\/strong\u003e - 180g gold marble vinyl in gatefold sleeve\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRising alto saxophone star\u003c\/strong\u003e - Benjamin's powerful voice in contemporary modal jazz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecorded at legendary Sear Sound\u003c\/strong\u003e - plus The Bunker Brooklyn sessions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlto saxophonist, vocalist, and synthesizer player Lakecia Benjamin presents her expansive vision across twelve compositions recorded at Brooklyn's The Bunker and New York's Sear Sound, the double album exploring modal jazz, post bop, and contemporary approaches with her ensemble featuring pianists Victor Gould and Anastassiya Petrova, bassist Ivan Taylor (doubling on electric bass), drummer E.J. Strickland, and percussionist Nêgah Santos. Released on 8 December 2023 as a worldwide limited edition by Whirlwind Recordings and Second Records, this 180g gold marble vinyl pressing (limited to 500 units) captures Benjamin's multifaceted artistry, her alto saxophone work rooted in tradition while incorporating contemporary sensibilities, her vocals and synthesizer adding dimensions beyond conventional jazz saxophone albums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenjamin's alto saxophone playing draws from modal jazz traditions established by Coltrane and extended by contemporary players, her tone powerful and expressive, her improvisations building intensity through patient development. Her incorporation of vocals and synthesizer alongside saxophone creates textural variety across the album's twelve tracks, the extended double LP format allowing exploration of different moods and approaches. The dual keyboard setup of Gould and Petrova (both playing piano, organ, and Rhodes) creates rich harmonic textures, while Taylor's acoustic and electric bass work bridges traditional jazz and more contemporary funk-influenced grooves. Strickland's drumming and Santos' percussion provide polyrhythmic foundation and dynamic range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe compositions span from modal explorations to post bop structures to contemporary jazz approaches, track titles suggesting both personal narratives (\"Phoenix\", \"Rebirth\") and tributes to artistic influences (\"Trane\", \"Basquiat\"). Benjamin's multi-instrumentalist approach and willingness to incorporate vocals reflects contemporary jazz's increasing comfort with genre fluidity, her music speaking to audiences raised on multiple Black music traditions simultaneously. Recorded at two prestigious New York area studios and pressed on limited edition 180g gold marble vinyl in gatefold sleeve, this Whirlwind\/Second Records release documents Benjamin's artistic vision at full scale.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whirlwind Recordings","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43218926567483,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0630\/3203\/3339\/files\/LakeciaBenjamin-Phoenix1.jpg?v=1771200950"}],"url":"https:\/\/lushliferecords.com.au\/collections\/lakecia-benjamin.oembed","provider":"Lush Life Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}