Lakecia Benjamin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lakecia Benjamin
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Benjamin in 2022
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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 American musician. She plays the alto saxophone. Her music mixes jazz, funk, and R&B styles.
Lakecia was born and grew up in New York City. She lived in a Dominican neighborhood called Washington Heights, Manhattan. There, she learned to play merengue and salsa music.
She has toured with famous artists like Missy Elliot and Alicia Keys. She has performed in many countries around the world. She even played for President Barack Obama's 2009 Inauguration. Lakecia has also performed with jazz legends such as Clark Terry and James Blood Ulmer. She also leads her own band called Soul Squad. This band plays her original songs.
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
Lakecia Benjamin was born and raised in Washington Heights, Manhattan. This is a lively neighborhood in New York City. In elementary school, she first learned to play the recorder.
She started playing the saxophone when she was in elementary school. By age 13, she was already writing her own songs. She attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School. This school is famous for performing arts. There, 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. She enjoyed playing salsa and merengue tunes.
Developing Her Music Career
A famous saxophonist named Gary Bartz became an early teacher for Lakecia. He taught her important practice techniques. He also introduced her to the music of jazz greats. These included Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Jackie McLean. While studying at The New School, she learned from other amazing musicians. These teachers included Billy Harper and Reggie Workman.
Lakecia's first professional job was with trumpeter Clark Terry. She joined his band, the Young Titans of Jazz. Since then, she has performed with many well-known artists. These include Stevie Wonder, Macy Gray, and Gregory Porter. She has also played with famous groups like Kool & the Gang and The Roots.
Lakecia Benjamin's band travels to perform music from her albums. Her first album was called Retox, released in 2012. It featured several guest singers. She released Rise Up in 2018. Her album Pursuance: The Coltranes came out in 2020. Her most recent album, Phoenix, was released in 2023.
Discography
Albums by Lakecia Benjamin
- Retox (Motéma, 2012)
- Rise Up (Ropeadope, 2018)
- Pursuance: The Coltranes (Ropeadope, 2020)
- Phoenix (Whirlwind, 2023)
Guest Appearances
- Georgia Anne Muldrow, Mama, You Can Bet! (SomeOthaShip, 2020)
