Motema Music artist Lakecia Benjamin is otherworldly. She and her band SoulSquad took us to their realm last Monday night at Ginny’s Supper Club to usher in the 20th anniversary of the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival. She packed in two sets and took us to a space in time that was both nostalgic in its funky soulful delivery & newly dynamic in its fusion of Latin, big band, funk, pop and avant-garde – and Charlie Parker was certainly in the building.  SoulSquad primarily performed a great variety of cuts from her album Retox.

This was how I saw the evening unfold.  Lakecia is Mother Tree.  Drummer Joe Blaxx is Father Tree – communicate light through roots – filter through to the forest of David Cutler on bass, Nick Roseboro on trumpet, Calvin Brown on keys, Jamiel Cornielo on guitar, Vickie Natalie on vocals.  Sound is air for us to breathe in and live for that moment – our key to life.  We climbed in, took a breath, blossomed like spring and held on for this ride.  The kind of thing you don’t want to end. One of my favorite moments was her cover of the Beatles’ Come Together.  I’m not a big Beatles fan, but I loved this rendition- the extended pauses in the chorus make you want to reconsider shit. Watch Lakecia love on her band.  She feels a solo and rolls up to celebrate and bring out even more.  She has so much to give – energy like dervish.  Pure bliss through sound.  Perfection.  Know this artist – you’ll be proud to say you were down from the beginning.

See larger image Retox (Audio CD) List Price: $15.98 USD New From: $5.74 In Stock Used from: $2.04 In Stock Release date May 8, 2012.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival the City Parks Foundation presents a full week of events that will include performances, poetry, workshops, lectures, theatrical presentations, the world premiere of a commissioned jazz work, and a regular two day festival.

Our girl Lakecia Benjamin will be at Ginny’s Supper Club on Monday August 20th.  I’ll be there to cover that event.

Also, our beloved Gregory Porter will play at Tompkins Square Park August 26th.

Festival Lineup

Friday, August 17

Jazz Legends: Charlie Parker Tribute

5:00 PM –7:00 PM

Whole Foods Market Upper West Side, (808 Columbus Ave. at 97th Street)

Presented in partnership with the Jazz Foundation of America

FREE, No Reservations Required

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Sunday, August 19

The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music Presents:

Andy Milne’s Bandwidth

9:00 PM & 10:30 PM (2 sets)

Ginny’s Supper Club at Red Rooster, (310 Lenox Ave. between 125th & 126th Sts.)

FREE, No Reservations Required

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Monday, August 20

Revive Music Presents:

Lakecia Benjamin

9:00 PM & 10:30 PM (2 sets)

Ginny’s Supper Club at Red Rooster, (310 Lenox Ave. between 125th & 126th Sts.)

FREE, No Reservations Required

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Tuesday August 21

Charlie Parker on Swing Street: Musical Storytelling

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Bill’s Place (148 West 133rd Street, between Lenox and 7th Avenues)

Presented in partnership with the Jazz Foundation of America

FREE, Reservations Required

RSVP to:CharlieParker20@Summerstage.org, Include date and name of event in subject line.

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Tuesday, August 21

Charlie Parker in 2012: Bird (still) in Flight

Panelists: Jimmy Heath / Steve Coleman / Jaleel Shaw / Antonio Ciacca

Moderated by: Ashley Kahn

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Harlem School of the Arts, (645 Saint Nicholas Avenue at 141st Street)

FREE, Reservations Required

RSVP to:CharlieParker20@Summerstage.org, Include date and name of event in subject line.

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Wednesday, August 22

Charlie Parker with Strings:

A Conversation with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Ashley Kahn

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music’s Jazz Performance Space

(55 W. 13th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, Fifth Floor)

FREE, Reservations Required

RSVP to:CharlieParker20@Summerstage.org, Include date and name of event in subject line.

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Thursday, August 23

Workshop:

WeBop: A Family Jazz party

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music’s Jazz Performance Space

(55 W. 13th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, Fifth Floor)

FREE, Reservations Required

RSVP to:CharlieParker20@Summerstage.org, Include date and name of event in subject line.

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Thursday, August 23

Theatrical Presentation:

Daniel Carlton Presents “When Smalls Had it All”

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music’s Jazz Performance Space

(55 W. 13th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, Fifth Floor)

FREE, Reservations Required

RSVP to:CharlieParker20@Summerstage.org, Include date and name of event in subject line.

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Friday, August 24

“Bird with Strings” with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Special Guests

Theatrical Presentation: Daniel Carlton Presents “On the Wings of Yardbird”

Produced by Revive Music

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Marcus Garvey Park, MN

Harlem, Mount Morris Park West at West 122nd Street (Richard Rodgers Amphitheater)

Both works are commissioned by City Parks Foundation in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival.

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Saturday, August 25

Roy Haynes / Rene Marie’s ‘Experiment In Truth’ / Derrick Hodge / ERIMAJ

Poets: Edwin Torres / LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs

3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Marcus Garvey Park , MN

Harlem, Mount Morris Park West at West 122nd Street (Richard Rodgers Amphitheater)

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Sunday, August 26

Ernestine Anderson Quartet / Gregory Porter / Andy Milne & Dapp Theory/ Sullivan Fortner

Poets: Jon Sands / Sheila Maldonado / Nikhil Melnechuk

3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Tompkins Square Park, MN

East 7th Street between Avenues A and B

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Click here for more information and details regarding performances and artists.

INto Harlem

This old soul in a young body has enough swagger with chops to back it up, to rival the funk/soul/jazz pioneers who precede her.  She does her homework, studying in minute detail each and every lick, note and chord progression of those who influence and inspire her.  Her original works honor her heroes as she stamps her own signature style on each joint.  Her songs on Retox range in emotion & style from gentle sensuality to knock-down funk to serious jazz – BAM.  Maceo was written in honor of the JBs Maceo Parker and aptly illustrates the degree of inspiration Lakecia has garnered from this master saxophonist.  Smile, sung on the album by Maya Azucena is warm like new love sunshine.  Jump and Shout, the album’s first single and video, featuring Chinah Blacc on vocals, brings a perfect Chakaesque edge to its “I’m over you” message.  Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing is Lakecia’s homage to Stevie Wonder.  Every moment of this CD is full of life – dynamic, authentic, perfect.

I asked Lakecia about her experience as a composer and producer for Retox.  “I feel as strongly about my composing as I do about my saxophone playing.  I love the sax and I plan to play it for the rest of my life but I don’t want to be boxed into only one element of entertainment – to be a complete artist you need to compose, to write, to be an entertainer.  I wanted to feature everything I could possibly do – all around as a complete person.  I wanted to get an authentic sound, to have it recorded in a certain way, so it took time – all the instruments are live.  There are no programmed drums; it’s all done live in the studio.  I added vocals and since that is a lead position it took time.  I like that every song has a different vibration to it.  I wanted to create something for everybody.”

I think Motema Music is a perfect label match for Lakecia.  She agreed:  “When I was about to make the record, without even hearing it Jana [Herzen, President of Motema Music] believed in it.  She had seen me play around some and had a lot of confidence in me from the beginning and Motema really stands behind their artists – letting the music speak for itself.  They don’t just package, brand the music, sell it for a while and then move on.  Motema is really into quality music and longevity and they support their artists so they can achieve that.”

Lakecia Benjamin and SoulSquad will take the stage at Le Poisson Rouge June 12^th to celebrate the release of Retox.  SoulSquad on this night will include Chris Robb (keys) and Nick Roseboro (trumpet), Brian Cockerham (bass), Joe Blaxx (drums), Jamiel Cornielo (guitar), Brandee Younger (harp), Jonathan Powell (trumpet) and guest trombonist Jonathon Aarons.  Two vocalists featured on Retox will join Lakecia and SoulSquad – Tracey Nicole and Maya Azucena.  Guest artists will be Jean Baylor of Zhane, Vickie Natale, Collette and Raydar Ellis.  DJ Center will be spinning before and after the band takes the stage.  The evening promises to be raw, magnetic and all the way live.  The joy on Lakecia’s face when she performs reveals how much she loves what she does and how deeply she admires and respects the musicians she shares the stage with.

If you make it to the show, close your eyes and tell me you aren’t reminded of Sly and the Family Stone on The Midnight Special stage back in the day.  The beauty lies in the fact that she’s just getting started, so buy the album, get a ticket, and buckle up.

http://www.lakeciabenjamin.com/

http://motema.com/artist/lakecia-benjamin

Le Poisson Rouge,
158 Bleecker Street, NYC
TIX adv. $12 / Day of Show $15
RSVP: 212-505-FISH
lepoissonrouge.com

See larger image Retox (Audio CD) List Price: $15.98 USD New From: $5.74 In Stock Used from: $2.04 In Stock Release date May 8, 2012.

If you aren’t familiar with Motema Music artist Lakecia Benjamin’s work, be sure to grab her first CD, Retox out on June 12th.  This Harlem native brings classic soul/funk and steps out of the box on her debut release.  This project is so alive and exciting.

You may have heard or seen her play with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Macy Gray, Alicia Keyes or The Roots.  This time it’s all about her own vision and she does a stellar job of paying homage to soul and funk heroes.

Here’s a taste of “Maceo” from the album, which is dedicated to the legendary James Brown saxophonist, Maceo Parker.  You’ll recognize my beloved Gregory Porter in this video!

Lakecia Benjamin – “Maceo”

I’ll be speaking with Lakecia soon and will post more as the release date nears.

Peace.