lakecia benjamin

There’s always been an undeniable mystical, enticing element to the music of the Coltranes and on Pursuance, Benjamin is mindful of retaining the underlying spirituality of these compositions - “they were writing songs to indian gods, to christian gods, to muslim gods - their whole idealogy was that every religion is one and we’re all one with god.”  In this regard, Pursuance speaks to the unifying nature of the jazz artform.  Every member of this cross-generational recording ensemble welcomed the opportunity to collaborate and pay homage to each other.  “Music is a reflection of our times; a reflection of the spirit of our times,” Benjamin continues. “In our current social and political climate, we need music to heal the soul.”  Just as the timeless compositions of the Coltranes connected with audiences of yesteryear, Pursuance brings this material into 2020 with carefully conceived modern arrangements.  Each of the thirteen tracks on Pursuance are tunes that instantly resonated with Benjamin upon first listen - seven of which originally composed by John, with six credited to Alice. The selection includes “Liberia”, “Prema”, “Central Park West”, “Walk With Me”, “Going Home”, “Syeeda’s Song Flute”, “Spiral”, “Om Shanti”, “Alabama”, “Acknowledgement”, “Pursuance”, “Turiya and Ramakrishna” and “Affinity”. 

On the album’s opening track, “Liberia”, Benjamin conjures up every bit of intensity and fervor possible from her stellar lineup of legends.  A regal rubato gives way to a bright-tempoed swing, over which both bandleader Benjamin and consummate saxophonist Gary Bartz take flight.  Acclaimed vocalist Jazzmeia Horn shines on Benjamin’s stunning R&B-tinged rendition of John Coltrane’s classic “Central Park West”.  Horn’s beautiful performance of Benjamin’s original lyrics paired with Chris Rob’s organ playing delivers a soulful take on this ballad.  Benjamin goes on to deliver an incendiary performances of “Syeeda’s Song Flute” and “Spiral” off of John Coltrane’s groundbreaking 1959 album Giant Steps.  The bandleader is joined on “Syeeda’s Songflute” by bass legend Ron Carter.  Carter is one of the only members of this lineup to have performed with both Alice and John Coltrane.  To Benjamin, these particular musicians and their unique experiences contributed hugely to the articulation and delivery of this project - “the best part of creating this record was embracing this first-hand knowledge that these jazz heavyweights brought to the studio - they know the chords, the spirituality of the music, the mindset they were in when they first performed some of these tunes.”

Benjamin then moves on to pay tribute to Coltrane’s classic A Love Supreme with her performance of “Acknowledgment” and “Pursuance”.  Alongside the bandleader, several generations of musicians, all of whom moved by Coltrane’s masterwork, paying homage to the great master.  Dee Dee Bridgewater sings lyrics she wrote to Coltrane’s “Acknowledgement”, adding her signature effortless elegance to the track.  “Pursuance” features pianist Marc Cary who channels McCoy Tyner on this classic track.  The final track on the album, “Affinity” was composed by Alice Coltrane and features special guests Reggie Workman and Greg Osby.  This track’s passion and force ends the album on a high, displaying the stunning facility of each of the improvisers and the enduring power of these timeless compositions.

With a final reflection on this project, the saxophonist and bandleader brings light to her utmost admiration for the Coltranes and their collaboration that, musically, spiritually and emotionally culminated in one, whole, complete unit - “as an artist, it’s difficult to balance your personal life and career. This is a perfect example of a couple who had the best of both worlds - they took care of themselves, took care of the music, worked together, played together and they exemplified a completely functional, amazing relationship. You don’t need to sacrifice your art or your love - you can be one complete whole individual.”  

Derived from liner notes by John Murph.

About lakecia benjamin

Lakecia Benjamin’s journey into music began in the predominantly Dominican neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City.  She grew up listening to and eventually playing Merengue and Bachata.  At just 14 years old, she gained her independence and moved out of her parents care, earning the little money she could from local gigs to support herself.

Even though she was zoned for George Washington High School, Lakecia was encouraged her to pursue music at La Guardia High School, a popular school for young artists, such as Marcus Miller and Nicki Minaj.   At her audition for LaGuardia, Bob Stewart, the music director for the school, advised her that she was playing all the right notes but not in the right style. Having only Dominican influences in her repertoire, Lakecia was unaware of the Jazz greats, but stated bluntly, “I don’t know anything about Jazz Sir; all I know is you have to let me in to this school.”

Stewart could see the talent in Benjamin, and so he sent her home with a few names – Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, and John Coltrane. She listened and quickly learned their style. Lakecia was finally accepted to attend LaGuardia High School.  With her talent, drive, and just a saxophone as her passport, Lakecia was set on her journey from the streets of Washington Heights to the expansive world of Jazz.

As she shared her music to wider audiences, Lakecia Benjamin quickly gained recognition. After graduating from LaGuardia, Benjamin joined the renowned jazz program at New York’s New School University. By that time, she was already playing with renowned Jazz figures, like Clark Terry and Reggie Workman. Her dedication and diverse musical interests steered her toward performances with a prominent cast of artists, including Rashied Ali, James “Blood” Ulmer, Vanessa Rubin and Craig T. Robinson. Her studio work gave a similar impression and she came to work with such artists as Santigold , Talib Kweli , and Dj premier Since then, Benjamin has become in-demand as an arranger and horn section leader for the likes of Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Macy Gray, and Kool and the gang .

Lakecia Benjamin carries her personality and  history throughout her musical journey, remaining mindful of not losing touch with where she began. The Dominican influences of Washington Heights have remained with her, and can still be heard in her music. If you listen to Benjamin with an understanding of her story, the music makes perfect sense. And as a strong and rhythmic bandleader, a Black woman taking the lead and pushing forward, she is a musician who plays to us all. And she has thrived  by turning adversity into beauty without lament, but with fierce power.

“Rise Up” finds Lakecia Benjamin in a focused and deliberate mood, absorbed in the world around her, both personally and universally. Her life’s experiences are made into music we can all dance to, as she fearlessly responds to the current political climate with a message of power and hope. Since she believes that, ‘The best things in history have come from people being upset,” Benjamin’s music gives us the light that will help us all carry the weight through the darkness, whether it be a personal plight or political strife.

Although her music has a clear a history and message, it is far from lectures or demands. It takes you out of the grinding gears of life, and rescues your spirit. There is a simple joy in Benjamin’s music that touches us all, that lifts us from the mundane into a glimpse of transcendence. Lakecia Benjamin has taken this lost art as her own, to revive and refine it for today. Listen and let yourself enjoy.