If you love jazz like me and are always looking for new artists you will love this up-and-coming saxophonist. Meet Lakecia Benjamin from Washington Heights, NY who is making a mark in the jazz world with her style of playing and enthusiastic onstage presence.

She has been writing songs since she was 13 and started playing the saxophone in elementary school. At first, she was not playing jazz. Growing up in a Dominican neighborhood exposed her to Latin music; she played salsa and merengue. It wasn’t until high school that jazz caught her attention. She met saxophonist Gary Bartz who introduced her to the music of jazz legends like John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, and Jackie McLean. She paid her dues playing the local jazz clubs and has performed with Harry Belafonte, Count Basie Orchestra, Kool and the Gang, Macy Gray, and others. She doesn’t limit herself to just jazz and loves mixing it with soul, funk, and R&B. She debuted in 2012 with the album Retox and has several releases. Her new album Phoenix Reimagined will be out on July 12th and a new single on May 30th. She is now on tour so be sure to catch her live. She is a jazz saxophonist with a New York attitude we love. Support independent music and musicians. Happy listening!

THE JAZZ CAFE

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