Sound Pathways, October 29, 2025
Sound Pathways with Dr. Karen Olson
Lakecia Benjamin - The Fire Within: How music, fatih and fearless living ignite one of jazz's brightest stars
The Fire Within: A Journey of Courage, Faith, and Sound with Lakecia Benjamin
On this inspiring episode of Sound Pathways, Dr. Karen Olson welcomes the extraordinary Lakecia Benjamin, a 6× GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist, Jazz Musician of the Year, and a powerful voice in today’s musical world.
From iconic stages like the Hollywood Bowl and Newport Jazz Festival to moments of deep personal transformation, Lakecia’s journey is one of passion, resilience, and purpose. After surviving a life-threatening car accident in 2021, her path became an even deeper expression of faith, healing, and rebirth.
In this heartfelt conversation, Karen and Lakecia explore the roots of her artistry, the strength of family and faith, and the inner fire that continues to guide her. What emerges is a portrait of an artist who lives her music as a force for connection, courage, and transformation.
Lakecia Benjamin is a 6× GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist, composer, and one of the most electrifying voices in contemporary jazz. A native of Washington Heights, New York, she is known for her bold, soulful sound that blends jazz, funk, R&B, and soul with fearless originality and spirit.
She has performed on some of the world’s most iconic stages, including the Hollywood Bowl and the Newport Jazz Festival, and has collaborated with acclaimed artists such as Alicia Keys, Robert Glasper, Gregory Porter, and Terri Lyne Carrington. Her work has been featured on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and NPR’s Tiny Desk.
Her critically acclaimed albums Pursuance: The Coltranes, Phoenix, and Phoenix Reimagined (Live) have established her as one of the leading artists in jazz today, earning multiple GRAMMY® nominations, widespread critical acclaim, and honors including Alto Saxophonist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association and recognition as a Jazz Scholar by the Library of Congress. Her newest project, We Dream, continues her groundbreaking artistic evolution.
Following a near-fatal car accident in 2021, Lakecia’s music took on an even deeper resonance, reflecting a profound journey of healing, faith, resilience, and rebirth. Today, her performances continue to inspire audiences around the world with their intensity, emotional depth, and transformative power.
Her music is not only heard—it is felt, as a living expression of courage, connection, and the power of sound to transform.
Headlined Show, Sound Pathways October 29, 2025
Title: The Fire Within: Courage, Faith & the Saxophone Soul of Lakecia Benjamin
How music, faith, and fearless living ignite one of jazz’s brightest voices.
In this electrifying episode of Sound Pathways, Dr. Karen Olson sits down with the unstoppable Lakecia Benjamin—5x GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist, composer, and UN Global Ambassador of Music. From her Papa’s early influence to surviving a life-threatening car accident in 2021, Lakecia shares how courage, faith, and the healing power of sound shaped her journey.
Seen on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and NPR’s Tiny Desk, and headlining sold-out performances from the Hollywood Bowl to the Newport Jazz Festival, Lakecia continues to blaze a trail as one of the defining voices of her generation. Fierce on stage yet tender at heart, she embodies what it means to rise to the top with brilliance, purpose, and a heart of gold.
At its core, this episode celebrates creating and living your dream — a journey Lakecia Benjamin embodies with every note she plays.
🌟 Lakecia Benjamin — 5x GRAMMY-Nominated Saxophonist, Composer & UN Global Ambassador of Music
New York–based saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin is a 5x GRAMMY-nominated powerhouse whose magnetic blend of jazz, soul, and funk has captivated audiences worldwide. With a tone often compared to Johnny Hodges and a fiery, onstage presence, Lakecia has headlined the Hollywood Bowl, the Newport Jazz Festival, and major stages around the globe.
She has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and NPR’s Tiny Desk, and tours internationally with sold-out shows across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. A passionate composer, arranger, and bandleader, she has worked with icons including Clark Terry, Terri Lyne Carrington, Gregory Porter, and Robert Glasper, and served as Music Director for the NEA Jazz Masters Concert.
Following her acclaimed albums Pursuance: The Coltranes and Phoenix (produced by Terri Lyne Carrington), Lakecia continues to break boundaries—embodying faith, courage, and the transformative power of music.
Endorsed by Vandoren, Yanagisawa, Key Leaves, Sennheiser, and Conn & Selmer, Lakecia Benjamin stands as one of today’s defining voices in contemporary jazz—a true ambassador of sound, resilience, and inspiration.
Sound Pathways
Sound Pathways is an inspiring and groundbreaking journey into the healing power of sound, creativity, and connection, exploring the profound link between Mind, Body, and Spirit. Hosted by Karen Olson, Ph.D., the show features captivating conversations with composers, musicians, sound healers, and inspirational thought leaders who share pioneering insights into how creativity and vibration shape our lives.
Each episode invites you to explore the magic of sound and energy as powerful tools for healing, self-discovery, and achieving your dreams. With special guests, uplifting stories, live call-ins for personalized sound healings, and unique teachings, Sound Pathways inspires you to tune in, align with your inner self, and elevate your life.
