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.