Podcast Summary: "Lakecia Benjamin's 'Phoenix Reimagined (Live)'" (All Of It with Alison Stewart, WNYC)

Date: December 24, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Lakecia Benjamin (Saxophonist, Bandleader, Grammy Nominee)

Episode Overview

This episode of All Of It centers on acclaimed jazz saxophonist and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin and her Grammy-nominated album, Phoenix Reimagined Live. Amid Grammy season, host Alison Stewart revisits this popular interview featuring performances, stories behind Benjamin’s creative process, reflections on personal recovery, and experiences in jazz and New York’s culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Live Performance & Dedication to John Coltrane (00:21–05:25)

• Performance: The episode opens with a live version of "Train," the album’s first track, dedicated to John Coltrane.
• Band Introduction: Benjamin introduces her band: Melody Ray (vocals), Oscar Perez (piano), Elias Bailey (bass), and Anwar Marsh (drums).
• Coltrane Influence:
  • Benjamin first discovered John Coltrane after hearing Alice Coltrane’s work.
  • She describes Coltrane as a “giant,” touching upon his “dedication to his music, to his spirituality, his dedication to giving back to humanity.”

    “I felt like his purpose was to be a healer, to be a kind of spiritual leader, and that’s kind of what I strive to do.” — Lakecia Benjamin (05:48)

2. The Spirit & Tempo of “Phoenix Reimagined Live” (06:01–06:45)

• Benjamin explains that the live album allowed her to connect more personally with audiences, showcasing how travel and fan engagement influence her music.

  "The second album is a way for me to show how I relate to my audience, how I relate to the people.” — Lakecia Benjamin (06:25)

3. Collaboration & Artistic Chemistry (06:45–07:26)

• Notable collaborators (across Phoenix and Reimagined): Angela Davis, Patrice Rushen, Sonya Sanchez, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Dianne Reeves, Wayne Shorter, Randy Brecker, Jeff "Tain" Watts, John Scofield.
• Benjamin seeks “someone that inspires me by what they’ve done… someone that brings so much of who they are,” writing songs tailored to collaborators’ voices (07:05).

4. Jazz Live Albums as Inspiration (07:26–08:05)

• Benjamin highlights Joe Henderson’s Live at the Lighthouse and John Coltrane’s live recordings, insisting that live energy is at the heart of jazz, especially in New York.

  “When you see them in person, you get to feel the soul of them and the passion behind everything. And you can’t really beat a live show. New York City is all about live energy.” (07:40)

5. Coming Back from Trauma: The Phoenix Origin Story (08:05–09:52)

• Benjamin reveals Phoenix was written after a near-fatal car accident:
  • "I broke three ribs, I broke my jaw, I fractured my scapula, and I had a brain bleed" (08:19)
  • Recovery shaped her outlook on survival, resilience, and music's power to inspire others through difficult times, especially during the pandemic.
• Alison Stewart shares her own health journey, noting the parallels in resilience.

6. Mentorship & Women in Jazz (09:25–09:52)

• Producer Terri Lyne Carrington’s influence as a mentor and role model for women in music is discussed.

  “For showing that…if you keep persevering and pushing forward, they will see you. And when they do see you, how to open a door for someone else coming behind.” — Lakecia Benjamin (09:32)

7. Second Live Performance: “Let Go” (09:52–13:08)

• “Let Go” is performed live, with a message of positivity and resilience for New Yorkers.
  • Let Go lyrics highlight themes of hope, letting go of fear, and embracing a bright future.

8. Musical Beginnings & Neighborhood Influence (13:08–14:41)

• Benjamin received her first saxophone at age 12—gifted by her great-grandfather after she bartered four Oreos for one at school (13:23).
• Growing up in Washington Heights, she absorbed influences from merengue, salsa, bachata, and the neighborhood’s vibrant block parties.

9. Realization of Musical Calling & Early Gigs (14:41–15:09)

• Her first paying gig—a $20 tip at a local gig—made her realize music could be a career.

10. Breakthrough Moments — Stevie Wonder Story (15:09–16:32)

• Benjamin shares a memorable story of playing for Stevie Wonder, who, despite her best efforts to sneak out from under a piano, noticed her presence and encouraged her to write her own music.

  “Did you like that, Lakecia?... I give you something so you could start to learn to write your own music.” (15:29)

• This interaction gave Benjamin the belief that she could become a composer.

11. Grueling Touring Schedule & Staying Inspired (16:38–17:38)

• In 2024, Benjamin played 175 shows as a bandleader.
• She shares her methods for staying centered: focusing on her goals, remembering the impact music has on audiences, and keeping “food and diet right, get some rest and make sure that you really, really love what you’re doing.” (16:53)

12. Personal Style & Stage Presence (17:38–18:11)

• Benjamin’s vibrant style is inspired by Clark Terry, who advised:

  “They see you before they hear you. Make sure they can see your personality and what you have to say. That way it’s easier for them to receive it when you play it.” (17:54)

13. Creative Goals for 2025 (18:11–18:42)

• Benjamin hopes to move beyond jazz’s borders and create an album uniting all her musical influences through further collaborations and exploration.

  "I'm trying to find a way to embrace all the sides of me and make them come out in one album." (18:21)

14. Final Performance: “Mercy” (18:43–23:09)

• The episode concludes with a stirring live rendition of “Mercy,” originally featuring Dianne Reeves and performed here with Melody Ray.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Coltrane’s Influence:
  “His purpose was to be a healer, to be a kind of spiritual leader, and that's kind of what I strive to do.” — Lakecia Benjamin (05:48)

• On Collaboration:
  “I’m looking for someone that inspires me by what they’ve done, and we can put that together, and you can kind of help me find my voice.” — Lakecia Benjamin (07:05)

• On Overcoming Trauma:
  "How do I stay alive? How do I figure out my next steps? ... I was trying to be a kind of a living example, if you keep pushing forward, of what could potentially happen." — Lakecia Benjamin (08:19)

• On Mentorship:
  "When they do see you, how to open a door for someone else coming behind so that you can make a way for somebody like me." — Lakecia Benjamin (09:36)

• On Stage Presence:
  “They see you before they hear you. Make sure they can see your personality and what you have to say.” — Clark Terry, via Lakecia Benjamin (17:54)

Key Timestamps

• 00:21–04:59: “Train” performed live; album and Grammy introduction
• 05:27–06:45: Discussion of Coltrane’s impact and Benjamin’s creative process
• 06:45–07:26: Collaborators and approach to collaboration
• 07:26–08:05: Jazz live albums as inspiration
• 08:13–08:58: The near-fatal accident and Phoenix’s origins
• 09:25–09:52: Terri Lyne Carrington mentorship
• 09:57–13:08: “Let Go” performance and message to New Yorkers
• 13:08–14:41: Musical roots, first saxophone, and neighborhood influence
• 15:09–16:32: Stevie Wonder story and creative encouragement
• 16:38–17:38: Extensive touring and keeping inspired
• 17:54–18:11: Style advice from Clark Terry
• 18:52–23:09: Final performance of “Mercy”

Tone & Takeaways

The episode is warm, candid, and energetic—just like Lakecia Benjamin herself. It blends heartfelt performance with an insightful look at resilience, creativity, and the collaborative spirit at jazz’s core. Benjamin’s stories highlight both the hardships and the joy of being a working musician, with a special emphasis on finding meaning through community, culture, and perseverance.

End of Summary