Jazz sensation Lakecia Benjamin and her band to deliver standout performance
A fearless musician with deep jazz roots, saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin is renowned for her bold approach and ability to seamlessly blend genres. With her electric presence and fiery sax work, the five-time Grammy nominee will take the Moss Arts Center stage with her sensational band for a standout performance on Friday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m.
A New York City native born and raised in Washington Heights, Benjamin went from playing a recorder in grade school to becoming one of the most sought-after jazz musicians on the music scene. Known for her bold approach and ability to seamlessly blend genres, she has shared stages with Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, The Roots, Macy Gray, and many others.
Benjamin’s latest album, “Phoenix,” finds the tour-de-force saxophonist in a poised and profoundly individual position alongside an all-star cast of musicians. An expansive new work in Benjamin’s musical evolution, ”Phoenix” has been met with critical acclaim for its adventurous spirit and Benjamin's focused, energetic, and perceptive artistry. The 2023 album was produced by the multi-Grammy Award-winning Terri Lyne Carrington and features a star-studded line up of specially curated guests, including Dianne Reeves, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Patrice Rushen, Sonia Sanchez, Angela Davis, and the late Wayne Shorter.
Benjamin first picked up the saxophone at Fiorello LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. From there, she joined the renowned jazz program at New York’s New School University. Even at that early stage, she was already playing with renowned jazz figures like Clark Terry and Reggie Workman, who introduced her to opportunities to play and tour with an array of artists, including Rashied Ali, Christian McBride, Gregory Porter, and James “Blood” Ulmer. With her deep jazz roots, she was soon in demand as an arranger and horn section leader, landing stints with such acclaimed artists as Anita Baker.
Benjamin’s Blacksburg debut is co-sponsored by the Black Cultural Center and supported in part by gifts from Faye Marcum, Monte Marcum, and LeAnna Pearson-Marcum, and from Mrs. Sally Schweitzer Cox and Mr. John W. Cox. Additional funding is provided by the Charles and Dorothy Lambert Endowment for the Arts.
Related events
During her visit, Benjamin will perform a free matinee for students in grades six through 12 from Montgomery, Giles, Floyd, Pulaski, Roanoke, Craig, Franklin, and Wythe counties and Radford and Roanoke cities. She will also engage with Virginia Tech students via a discussion with living-learning communities Studio 72 and Rhizome about her artistic journey and personal resilience as well as a master class with members of the Virginia Tech Jazz Ensemble.
Tickets
Tickets are $20-$55 for general audience and $10 for students and youth 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased online; at the Moss Arts Center's box office, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; or by calling 540-231-5300 during box office hours.
Venue and parking information
The performance will be held in the center’s Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, located within the Street and Davis Performance Hall at 190 Alumni Mall. Convenient parking is available in the North End Parking Garage on Turner Street and in downtown Blacksburg. Find more parking details online.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Jamie Wiggert at least 10 days prior to the event at 540-231-5300 or email wiggertj@vt.edu during regular business hours.
