Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin returns with a recording born of her resilient recovery from a potentially life-changing car accident and coping with the loss of more than a dozen members of her family during the recent pandemic years. Phoenix is reflective of the Brookyln-born musician’s determination to rise above the challenges while conveying a message of […]
Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin returns with a recording born of her resilient recovery from a potentially life-changing car accident and coping with the loss of more than a dozen members of her family during the recent pandemic years. Phoenix is reflective of the Brookyln-born musician’s determination to rise above the challenges while conveying a message of hope in emerging from darkness. The album calls on an impressive line-up of voices, including Dianne Reeves, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Patrice Rushen, Sonia Sanchez, Angela Davis and Wayne Shorter conveying inspirational words and performances. The band on the effort includes Josh Evans on trumpet, Victor Gould on keys, Orange Rodriguez on synths, Enoch (EJ) Strickland on drums, Nêgah Santos on percussion, and Ivan Taylor on bass. Trumpeter Wallace Roney Jr, Rhodes organist Anastassiya Petrova and bassist Jahmal Nichols each join in on various tracks. This is a thought-provoking and wonderfully artistic, and entertaining production.
