Lakecia Benjamin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lakecia Benjamin
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| Background information | |
| Born | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, funk, R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Alto saxophone |
| Labels | Motéma, Ropeadope Records, Whirlwind |
Lakecia Benjamin is an amazing American musician. She plays the alto saxophone and is known for her energetic jazz, funk, and R&B music. Lakecia grew up in New York City, in a neighborhood called Washington Heights, Manhattan. There, she first learned to play merengue and salsa music.
She has toured all over the world, performing on four different continents. She even played for Barack Obama when he became president in 2009! Lakecia has shared the stage with many famous artists like Missy Elliot and Alicia Keys. She also has her own band called Soul Squad, where she plays her own songs.
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Lakecia's Early Life and Music Journey
Lakecia Benjamin was born and grew up in Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York City. When she was in elementary school, she started learning to play the recorder. She also began writing her own songs and lyrics when she was just 13 years old.
Later, she started playing the saxophone. While attending Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, she became very interested in jazz music. After high school, she continued her music studies at The New School in New York City. Her first musical experiences were with Latin dance music, playing salsa and merengue.
Her Exciting Music Career
A famous saxophonist named Gary Bartz was an early mentor for Lakecia. A mentor is someone who guides and teaches you. He helped her learn important practice techniques. He also introduced her to the music of legendary jazz saxophonists like Charlie Parker and John Coltrane. At The New School, she learned from many other great musicians.
Lakecia's first professional job was with trumpeter Clark Terry. She joined his band called Young Titans of Jazz. Since then, she has performed with a wide variety of artists. These include Stevie Wonder, Macy Gray, The Roots, and Gregory Porter. She has also played with the Count Basie Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Lakecia's band travels and performs music from her albums. Her first album was called Retox. She has released several other albums, showcasing her unique style.
Lakecia's Albums
As the Main Artist
- Retox (Motéma, 2012)
- Rise Up (Ropeadope, 2018)
- Pursuance: The Coltranes (Ropeadope, 2020)
- Phoenix (Whirlwind, 2023)
As a Guest Artist
- Georgia Anne Muldrow, Mama, You Can Bet! (SomeOthaShip, 2020)
