Lakecia Benjamin: Tiny Desk Concert
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This Black Music Month, Tiny Desk is giving the ladies their flowers. We’re releasing nine Tiny Desk concerts from Black women artists, from veterans who’ve paved the way for what we hear today in Black music, to those who are carving out their own paths.
Nikki Birch | June 5, 2024
Alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin burst into her Tiny Desk Concert like a meteor breaching the atmosphere.
Benjamin approaches her music and performances with a take-no-prisoners attitude. After primarily performing as an accompanist, she introduced the world to her own voice. While her first two studio albums leaned into jazz-funk and soul, in 2020 she referenced her bebop and spiritual influences with Pursuance: The Coltranes, an album that brought together several generations of the genre’s luminaries to pay homage to John and Alice Coltrane. That project and her 2023 album, Phoenix, received critical acclaim, the latter earning her three Grammy nominations.
Her opening tune, “Phoenix Reimagined” is a joyous explosion that ushers you into her world, whether you’re ready or not. Her next two songs put her lyricism front and center, as she welcomed singer Melodie Ray to sing with her on “Let Go,” a song that follows the steps of jazz poetry and hip-hop, and “Mercy.” Benjamin concluded her performance with “Trane,” a song she wrote to honor the Coltranes.
Because we are celebrating Black Music Month by giving our all-women lineup their flowers, I asked Benjamin to talk about some of the women who continue to inspire her. She named a few of her mentors: Terri Lyne Carrington, Patrice Rushen and Dee Dee Bridgewater, all of whom are trailblazers in and out of Black music. I couldn’t help but think of them when she joyfully declared: “We here!”
SET LIST
“Phoenix Reimagined”
“Let Go”
“Mercy”
“Trane”
MUSICIANS
Lakecia Benjamin: alto sax, lead vocals
Melodie Ray: vocals
Miki Hayama: keys
Oscar Perez: piano
Elias Bailey: bass
E.J. Strickland: drums
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Nikki Birch
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Technical Director: Hannah Gluvna
Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Mitra I. Arthur
Audio Engineers: Neil Tevault, Josh Newell
Production Assistant: Elle Mannion
Photographer: Grace Raver
Animation: Jackie Lay
Florist: Kelanda Edwards
Tiny Desk Team: Kara Frame, Hazel Cills, Ashley Pointer
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
#nprmusic #tinydesk #lakeciabenjamin
Пікірлер: 302
OMG this is why I love tiny desk I get to hear goooood music from people I never heard of ... they have introduced me to so many
I had never heard Lakecia's music before today and I am completely blown away. What a talent. Long may she rule!
@RobertSlover
26 күн бұрын
yet another coltrane/roland kirk clone only not nearly as good!
@91productions35
24 күн бұрын
@@RobertSloveri'd like to hear you play as well as either of those musicians 😂
@RobertSlover
24 күн бұрын
@@91productions35 cute video game videos. stay in your lane!
@PoggiiBonsii
21 күн бұрын
@@RobertSlover here you go : another opinion that is not interesting
@TheRicarr
20 күн бұрын
This is a epic comment I couldn't agree more.
Lakecia Benjamin is a force!! What a fiery Tiny Desk!! Truly one for the books! She did that!!!
@RobertSlover
Ай бұрын
yet another coltrane/roland kirk clone only not nearly as good!
@91productions35
20 күн бұрын
@@RobertSloverstop reusing this same comment for ragebait. get a life
@RobertSlover
20 күн бұрын
@@91productions35 again....cute video game videos. stay in your lane. "get a life"
@91productions35
19 күн бұрын
@@RobertSlover you didnt even respond to my other comment bro
@Name-uv8hi
9 күн бұрын
Amen!!! 🎶🎵🎶
It's unfortunate we don't hear this on popular radio you better go Lakecia❤
@RobertSlover
Ай бұрын
yet another coltrane/roland kirk clone only not nearly as good!
@TessThe5th
Ай бұрын
@@RobertSlover So what? Only insecure lames want to compare musicians against the legends that came before them and clearly inspired them instead of uplifting other musicians when someone like Coltrane who would be ecstatic to see the flames of jazz and his influence still live on.
@RobertSlover
Ай бұрын
@@TessThe5th cute video game videos by the way....stay in your lane man.
@fritzfischer3648
Ай бұрын
@@RobertSlover Why so negative?
@RobertSlover
Ай бұрын
@@fritzfischer3648 not negative. high standards.
Mr. Coltrane is smiling down!
This is amazing!!! I grew up playing with Lakecia in middle school and to see her succeed the way she has is amazing! go on girl!!!
@RobertSlover
Ай бұрын
yet another coltrane/roland kirk clone only not nearly as good!
@SalimSivaad
Ай бұрын
@@RobertSloverYou’re a hater
@RobertSlover
Ай бұрын
@@SalimSivaad high standards.
@SalimSivaad
Ай бұрын
@@RobertSlover high standards of hating
@RobertSlover
Ай бұрын
@@SalimSivaad theres that poets wit....oscar wilde you are not sir. there is no excuse for bad taste anymore man!
I love love love her swag, her energy, her skills, her beauty, yessss! I am a fan as of today!
I'm going to be honest....this is SOOOOOOOO SOOOOOOOO GOOD. There's so much joy and happiness. Go head nah! ❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊😊😊😊😊
That wasn’t long enough for me ❤
That joyousness, happiness and energy she brings on stage. I've experienced her live un Utrecht. Concert was out of this world.
Every morning should start like this! An absolute joy!👹
@sallysson
Ай бұрын
When I sit at my desk in the morning and open KZread and there's a new Tiny Desk, I know it's gonna be a good day.
I saw Lakecia at the Newport Jazz Festival last year. I had never heard of her before, and I was totally blown away. She’s bringing that classic jazz sound into the modern world, and her energy doing so is unmatched!!
This is what I imagined all of the NPR Tiny Desk Concerts to be like before I actually started watching them. Does that make sense?
@cinnamonharrison607
8 күн бұрын
Perfectly said
Proud of Lakecia!! I’ve had the pleasure of knowing her and most of her band mates for over a decade. I encourage the viewer to dig into to all of their music on your platform of choice. Thank me later.
It's not often you see someone absolutely shred the sax like this. Great way to open a set. 🔥🔥🔥
I had the fortune of seeing her at the Purdue Jazz Festival back in January and not only got to see a full show with her band but got to experience an unforgettable clinic as well. As a brass player and drummer, I learned way more than you'd think - she's a great educator and inspiration literally bursting onto the scene, seemingly out of nowhere!
@zachgowen_
Ай бұрын
i was there too! what a great show. sad i missed her clinic because i had an early morning set
My lord she’s amazing ❤❤❤❤❤
Joyous! Absolutely love this vibration. Lakecia and band brought it!
If you ever get a chance to see her in person.....one of the best shows I have seen in years. She's completely electric.
Lakecia is on FIRE! Love this!!!! Let Go!
The energy and the music were so infectious!! ❤🔥
thanks for the wake-up slap to my face!! incredible music, musicians, & JOY!
This is pure fire... ❤
Absolute amazing person and sax player. She has gone a long way since we studied together in middle school days
I listened to this whole Tiny Desk and felt like listening to it like two more times this morning. It's THAT awesome.
This is absolutely wonderful! Thank you, Tiny Desk.
This month will be fire ✊🏾🇧🇷🔥
@ItsJessicaPrado
Ай бұрын
Sim!!!
She just got herself a new fan!
Ms. Benjamin was recently featured on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert with the enormously talented Late Show Band! 🤸🏽♂️🎶🙌🏽 Ms. Benjamin brought the house down!!!
Perfect way to start my morning 🎷🙌🏾
What an absolute powerhouse. Amazing 😭
Thank you Lakecia and everyone! Your music is Uplifting and healing 💖😸💖 I just discovered you and I'm so thankful!
This 16mins was electrifying! Her energy is infectious!! Thoroughly enjoyed this!🔥🔥🔥
Wow. What a wonderful lady with such a beautiful energy and message 💚 Blessings to all of you!
Thank you Lakeciaaaaaaaa!!!!!
Powerful!
A new fan. She is phenomenal. The band❤❤❤
Love this young lady! We need more of you!
Such a talent, she’s amazing
This made me HAPPY! It going to be a good day.😻
Let it flow, let it go!
That's my homie Lakecia!!! I see you, EJ!!! Killin' yall! Ooooooh whee!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Fuel for happiness engine.
Real fire 🔥🎷💥 call the firemen 🚒
That’s some amazing energy and such a clean performance!
How she managed to match all the gold from her Saxophone to her outfit and makeup. 🔥☄️
Love a performance with good energy! 🔥🔥🔥💯
Tiny Desk out here ministering to our souls with all these fabulous concerts. Positive vibes frfr 🙌🏾🙌🏾 thank you!
MAX LOUDNESS FOR THIS ONE !!
The BEST opening ever!!!!!!
That was awesome!!!!!! She is a light!
Well, this was awesome 🧡
Tiny desk please invite Asa from Nigeria. She's a phenomenal artist
@dg29661
23 күн бұрын
Asa is amazing!!!
Crazy Energy
Just.... WOW! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾😁
i love love her energy and positivity !!!!!
Wow! I am not familiar with artist at all, but she is bringing the heat!
Overflowing with Joy!
My brain can't catch up to her notes and flair. Guess I gotta listen again!
WOW! Love the positive energy and great sounds. (P.S. Lakecia is like the female alto sax counterpart of Patrick Bartley!)
Ok Sis. I HEAR ya.👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
😮wow!!!! So awesome 👏
This totally nurtured my soul.🔥
OMG!!!!!
Yes Finally! Love Lakecia! 💜✨💜
Wow, I wasn’t expecting to wake up to this!
@legit-ish4203
Ай бұрын
Me either. But what a way to start the day
I'm looking forward to hearing you play this weekend at Jazz in the Park in Las Vegas. 🎷🥰
Oh right on! Big ups sis!!!! 🙌
This is awesome! Thank you for blessing us.
awesome! blessins from Tucumán Argentina
Excellent I feel like I'm in a jazz club sipping a little something as I listen. Loved the Coltrane tribute. I try not to be a dinosaur and instead keep an open mind about today's music. Thank you Tiny Desk for showing there is excellent music today. ❤❤
So Amazing
you're amazing Lakecia!
This was fire!! Loved it from beginning to end.
On it!!!! Great band. Like the energy! Thanks!
OMG this is brilliant 🔥🔥🩶
Powerhouse much!!
Trane was smokin’!
Enjoyed your performance...Thxs for the life force ❤😊
Wow!!!🎷🎷🎷🎶🎶🎶
Joy 🌎💗
Wild!❤
so proud of my uptown girl!!!!
This is my first time hearing this young lady. I like her vibe!
Fantastic!🎉🎉🎉
And I missed her during the Jazz Fest a couple of weeks ago…DANG!😂🔥🔥🔥
Ugh that top!!! Matches the great sound!!!
Wonderful
amazing sound I love it
Absolutely great set. Thanks for giving these talented musicians exposure. This was amazing
Positive Vibrations…
Outstanding!!❤️
That was delightful, I'm definitely a new fan. Can't wait to find all of her stuff.
Love it!!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
First notes sounds like pharaoh sanders, and it goes from there. Thank you for playing, and for recording
Great music!
My heart is full and inspired, thank you so much❤
Pure fire!
Wow! This jumpstarted my morning. 🔥 Skills 🎼 ❤
Wow!! 🔥🔥🧡🧡🎵🎵🎵