Lakecia Benjamin

ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY PRESENTS FIVE-TIME GRAMMY®-NOMINATED SAXOPHONIST, COMPOSER,
AND BANDLEADER, LAKECIA BENJAMIN,
AT THE KIMMEL CENTER ON OCTOBER 22, 2026,
AS PART OF THE 2026–27 JAZZ SERIES

“Ms. Benjamin’s music is every bit as assertive and vital,”
– The Wall Street Journal

“… Lakecia Benjamin plays jazz that is sprinkled with the rich flavors of funk and soul….”
– The New Yorker

“…her sound feels rooted in tradition, yet broad enough to encompass R&B and Latin music; its pronounced funk suggests allegiances to hip-hop and dance.”
– The New York Times

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 14, 2026) – Ensemble Arts Philly presents five-time GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin to the Perelman Theater inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. As part of the 2026–27 Jazz Series, Benjamin brings her electrifying live performance to Philadelphia, showcasing the bold artistry that has established her as one of the defining voices in contemporary jazz.

"Lakecia Benjamin is one of the most dynamic and influential artists in contemporary jazz, bringing extraordinary energy, creativity, and virtuosity to every performance," said Frances Egler, Vice President of Theatrical Programming and Presentations. "Drawing from jazz, soul, funk, and hip-hop, her unmistakable artistic style remains deeply connected to the traditions that shaped the genre. At Ensemble Arts Philly, we are committed to presenting artists who honor jazz's rich legacy while expanding its possibilities, and Lakecia's work exemplifies the vibrant future of the art form."

Lakecia Benjamin has built an international reputation for her bold musical vision and genre-defying approach to jazz. Drawing inspiration from jazz, soul, funk, and hip-hop, she creates music that is both deeply rooted in tradition and unmistakably contemporary. Through her work as a saxophonist, composer, arranger, and bandleader, Benjamin has become one of the defining artists of a new generation of jazz musicians.

The success of Benjamin's recent releases, We Dream (2026), Phoenix (2023), and Pursuance: The Coltranes (2020), has established her among jazz's foremost artists. Phoenix earned three GRAMMY Award nominations and an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Jazz Album, while Phoenix Reimagined (Live) – released in 2024 – received two additional GRAMMY nominations. Her work has earned widespread acclaim from The New York Times, The Guardian, and DownBeat, cementing her reputation as one of the genre's most compelling artists.

Benjamin's growing impact has been recognized with numerous honors, including Alto Saxophonist of the Year from the Jazz Journalists Association and designation as a Jazz Scholar by the Library of Congress. Recent appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and NPR's Tiny Desk Concert have introduced her remarkable artistry to even broader audiences, while collaborations with artists including John Scofield, Randy Brecker, and Jeff "Tain" Watts reflect the wide-ranging respect she has earned across the jazz community.

Following a serious car accident in 2021 that threatened her ability to perform, Benjamin returned to the stage with renewed purpose and perspective. That resilience continues to shape performances that are both technically brilliant and emotionally powerful, celebrating the joy, spontaneity, and shared experience that define live jazz.

Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ensembleartsphilly.org, by calling 215-893-1999, or in person at the Academy of Music Box Office (240 S. Broad Street). For more information on the Academy of Music's Box Office hours, please visit www.ensembleartsphilly.org.

Jazz Series Packages
Save when you choose two or more shows from the exciting jazz season.

Lakecia Benjamin
Perelman Theater inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Thursday, October 22, 2026, 7:30 p.m.

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Other featured upcoming performances in the 2026–27 Jazz Series include Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra (October 7, 2026, Perelman Theater inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts); The 8-Bit Big Band (October 24, 2026, Miller Theater); Afro-Cuban All Stars (October 30, 2026, Miller Theater); The Bad Plus Farewell Tour (November 14, 2026, Perelman Theater inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts); Pink Martini All Stars present A Season of Stars (December 14, 2026, Marian Anderson Hall inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts); Sullivan Fortner Trio (February 13, 2027, Perelman Theater inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts); Gregory Porter (February 15, 2027, Marian Anderson Hall inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts); Ambrose Akinmusire (February 25, 2027, Perelman Theater inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts); Yasmin Williams with The Dream Quartet (April 3, 2027, Perelman Theater inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts); and Django Festival Allstars (May 14, 2027, Perelman Theater inside the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts).

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ABOUT ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY
For more information about ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY, visit www.ensembleartsphilly.org.       

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For photography, please visit www.ensembleartsphilly.smugmug.com.


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