Lakecia Benjamin

09.25.07 | About Lakecia
Lakecia Benjamin is a powerful young jazz saxophonist born and raised in New York City. She began her music education on saxophone at the early age of eleven. Although there were no musicians in her family, she showed a strong interest in music early on. At age 12, she started playing alto sax in middle school band class, and three years later, she was accepted into the famous Fiorello H. Laguardia high school. It was here where she first encountered jazz under the direction of the world famous tuba player Bob Stewart. Here she was exposed to several different styles of jazz, from the Lincoln center jazz orchestra to Sam Rivers, to Frank Foster’s loud minority, down to Lester Bowie’s brass fantasy. Under Bob Stewart’s mentorship and people like Bill Saxton, and Bruce Williams Lakecia began to develop her musical talent.

This experience went on to prepare her to be accepted in the New School Jazz and Contemporary music program. Here Lakecia studied with greats like Gary Bartz, Charles Tolliver, Steve Wilson, Vincent Herring, and Joe Chambers. These teachers prepared her to then join Clark Terry’s big band “terry’s young Titians of jazz” where she began playing all over the world. Also it was during this time period that she began playing with other masters like Reggie Workman, Bertha Hope, and Charli Persip.

Since her studies at the newschool Lakecia has not only become a in demand jazz artist. But is also extremly on call in the hip hop and r and b world.She has been recently playing with Corte Ellis ,Alicia Keys , Stevie Wonder , Rashid Ali and Clark terry. Just to name a few.

Lakecia Also has teo groups of her own that she currently runs. you can look under those band bios to find out more info.

02.10.07 | About Soulsquad
Lakecia Benjamin the leader and founder of Soulsquad is a powerful young jazz saxophonist born and raised in New York City. She began her music education on saxophone at the early age of eleven. . Although there were no musicians in her family, she showed a strong interest in music early on. At age 12, she started playing alto sax in middle school band class, and three years later, she was accepted into the famous Fiorello H. Laguardia high school. It was here where she first encountered jazz under the direction of the world famous tuba player Bob Stewart. Here she was exposed to several different styles of jazz, from the Lincoln center jazz orchestra to Sam Rivers, to Frank Foster’s loud minority, down to Lester Bowie’s brass fantasy. Under Bob Stewart’s mentorship and people like Bill Saxton, and Bruce Williams Lakecia began to develop her musical talent.

This experience went on to prepare her to be accepted in the New School Jazz and Contemporary music program. Here Lakecia studied with greats like Gary Bartz, Charles Tolliver, Steve Wilson, Vincent Herring, and Joe Chambers. These teachers prepared her to then join Clark Terry’s big band “terry’s young Titians of jazz” where she began playing all over the world. Also it was during this time period that she began playing with other masters like Reggie Workman, Bertha Hope, and Charli Persip. She has been recently playing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Cab Calloway Orchestra and the Clark Terry big band. Also in the small group “Precipitation” lead by Charli Persip and has been playing with world famous drummer Rashid Ali.

It was after her time at the new school university that Lakecia formed soulsquad. This band has a very different and unique configuration. It features three vocalists Georgia Anne Muldrow, Krystle Warren and Greg Porter. Two drummers Jeremy Clemens and Joe Blacks, bassist Solomon Dorsey, on keys Jarod Kashkin and Finally on sax and effects Lakecia Benjamin. This dynamic collaboration of people all met each other through schools, jam sessions and varies freelance gigs throughout the city.

Soulsquad plays some of the newest freshest sounds heard yet from and ensemble. With their mix between contemporary, soul, and advant garde music this young lively ensemble has toured all over the United States. You can find out where the band is playing and hear samples of their music at www.lakeciabenjamin.com

02.10.06 | About Spirit
Lakecia Benjamin the leader and founder of spirit is a powerful young jazz saxophonist born and raised in New York City. She began her music education on saxophone at the early age of eleven. . Although there were no musicians in her family, she showed a strong interest in music early on. At age 12, she started playing alto sax in middle school band class, and three years later, she was accepted into the famous Fiorello H. Laguardia high school. It was here where she first encountered jazz under the direction of the world famous tuba player Bob Stewart. Here she was exposed to several different styles of jazz, from the Lincoln center jazz orchestra to Sam Rivers, to Frank Foster’s loud minority, down to Lester Bowie’s brass fantasy. Under Bob Stewart’s mentorship and people like Bill Saxton, and Bruce Williams Lakecia began to develop her musical talent.

This experience went on to prepare her to be accepted in the New School Jazz and Contemporary music program. Here Lakecia studied with greats like Gary Bartz, Charles Tolliver, Steve Wilson, Vincent Herring, and Joe Chambers. These teachers prepared her to then join Clark Terry’s big band “terry’s young Titians of jazz” where she began playing all over the world. Also it was during this time period that she began playing with other masters like Reggie Workman, Bertha Hope, and Charli Persip. She has been recently playing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Cab Calloway Orchestra and the Clark Terry big band. Also in the small group “Precipitation” lead by Charli Persip and has been playing with world famous drummer Rashid Ali.

It was also during her time at the new school university that Lakecia formed spirit. The members of the ensemble are Jeremy Clemens on drums, Ivan Taylor on Bass and Gerold Clayton on the piano. They all meet through mutual friends and jam sessions spread around in the city.

The spirit ensemble plays some of the newest freshest sounds heard yet from this young ensemble. With their mix between contemporary, soul, and advant garde this young lively ensemble has toured all over the United States. You can find where the band is playing and hear samples of their music at www.lakeciabenjamin.com