Alto Saxophone, Arranger, Composer, Educator

Born 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 melds jazz, funk, soul, R&B, and hip-hop with a warm, resonant tone compared to Johnny Hodges.

Benjamin's first job was with Clark Terry's Young Titans of Jazz. Already playing with Reggie Workman whilst a student, she toured with Rashied Ali, David Murray Big Band, Vanessa Rubin, and James "Blood" Ulmer before becoming in-demand as arranger and horn section leader with Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, The Roots, Anita Baker, Missy Elliott, and Gregory Porter. Her 2012 debut Retox (Motéma) offered soul and funk produced by Ben Kane, followed by Rise Up (2018, Ropeadope) with Prince-inspired jazz-funk. Pursuance: The Coltranes (2020, Ropeadope) was an intergenerational masterpiece featuring Gary Bartz, Steve Wilson, Meshell Ndegeocello, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Jazzmeia Horn. Phoenix (2023, Whirlwind) produced by Terri Lyne Carrington explored rebirth following her 2021 car accident, receiving three Grammy nominations at 66th Annual Grammy Awards. Voted 2020 DownBeat Rising Star Alto Saxophonist and selected 2023 Monterey Jazz Festival Artist-in-Residence, she teaches at Jazz at Lincoln Center and Jazz House Kids.