Lakecia Bemjamin is one of the most talented new names in overseas jazz, as a saxophonist but also as a musician, composer and, more generally, band leader. “I grew up with hip-hop and radio playlists. Living in a Latino community, I also played merengue, salsa and bachata. Because in the African American community you are encouraged to play all forms of black music,” she says. Her mentor, saxophonist Gary Bartz, introduced her to the art of the great masters of sax such as Charlie Parker, Jackie McLean and Coltrane. She then served her apprenticeship playing with Clark Terry, Anita Baker, Count Basie Orchestra, Kool and The Gang, Macy Gray, The Roots, Stevie Wonder and many others.

She made international headlines in 2020 with the album Pursuance: The Coltranes, a heartfelt tribute to John and Alice Coltrane. Now she has a newly released album to propose live, Phoenix, produced by drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and recorded with her usual partners and special guests such as Dianne Reeves, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Patrice Rushen and Sonia Sanchez.