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Last Call Review: Lakecia Benjamin/Phoenix Reimagined(Live)/Ropeadope Records

Lakecia Benjamin/Phoenix Reimagined(Live)

Lakecia Benjamin's "Phoenix Reimagined" is one of those rare recordings that meets or exceeds the first one. And that is no easy feat considering the previous, brilliant "Phoenix". Benjamin's astonishing alto saxophone artistry is at the heart of this inspired, outstanding session which will likely be one of the finest jazz recordings of 2024.

Benjamin's inspired free jazz artistry lead an all star cast of players. The result is breathtaking! Highlights include "Trane", which features jazz superstars John Scofield(guitar) and Randy Brecker(trumpet). The title track has a vibrant, upbeat pulse sustained by veteran bassist Richie Goods on bass. "Let Go" features Benjamin with Melodie Ray on spoken word. "Amerikkan Skin" begins with a motivational rap from Benjamin who then launches into a fiery performance of the tune she wrote. Benjamin's version of "My Favorite Things" literally raises the roof, with a blazing intensity that John Coltrane would approve of.

Lakecia Benjamin performs before enthusiastic audiences worldwide. She was onstage at the Iowa City Jazz Festival in July, 2024. It was an unforgettable night of music for the alto saxophonist whose frontiers are sky high, and beyond!!

Listen to an interview with Lakecia Benjamin

For more information, you may visit lakeciabenjamin.com

<b>Chris Cooke </b>has been a voice on radio in Omaha since 1988. While at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, he studied radio broadcasting, history and religion. Working at KVNO-FM, Cooke hosted a weekend adventuresome jazz show on the station in addition to duties as an on-air announcer on overnights, weekends and holidays. He also worked at KBLZ (the then student-run radio station) as well as KYNE-TV, and The Gateway as a reporter. <br/>In November 1992, Cooke signed on at KIOS-FM and has been there ever since. He has hosted the Tuesday and Thursday editions of Jazz in the Afternoon since 1996 and has also hosted Last Call since that year. A long time fan of jazz music, Cooke enjoys talking with the musicians who make jazz music. He has interviewed Horace Silver, Roy Haynes, Wayne Shorter, David Liebman, Airto Moreira, Jessica Williams and Karrin Allyson, to name a few. While not at the station Cooke maintains a web design consultancy business that has served a number of non-profit and music clients for over 20 years.