As the Santa Monica International Jazz Festival makes its debut this May throughout the city, it arrives with a clear mission: to honor the legacy of jazz while spotlighting the artists shaping its future. Among them is Lakecia Benjamin, a six-time Grammy-nominated saxophonist, composer and educator, who plays with both captivating emotional force and deep intention. “My approach is very much rooted in honesty and expression,” she says. “I try to play in a way that reflects who I am and what I’m feeling in the moment.” That sense of purpose extends beyond the music itself. “Being a woman in jazz definitely comes with its own set of challenges, but it’s also something I take pride in,” she says. “I see it as an opportunity to continue that legacy and help create more space for future generations. Representation matters.” On May 8, Benjamin will take the stage at the BroadStage for a star-studded tribute to one of her greatest muses, John Coltrane, marking the centennial of his birth—channeling the spirit, intensity and innovation that continue to shape her own work.
How would you describe your personal musical approach?
“It is very much rooted in honesty and expression. I’m always thinking about how the music communicates with the audience and what they need right now. I’m sensitive to creating a safe space. I’m rooted in the tradition of jazz, but I also like to bring my own perspective and experiences into the music. There is an emotional intention behind what I play, and I try to connect deeply with the crowd and the spirit of the music. It’s a life mission and purpose for me.”
What drew you to this festival?
“The Santa Monica International Jazz Festival is celebrating both the tradition of jazz and the artists who are carrying it forward. Being part of an event that honors the history of this music while bringing together such a diverse group of performers is really exciting. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to connect with new audiences and share music in a setting that really appreciates the art form.”
What can we expect from the John Coltrane performance?
“John Coltrane’s music is incredibly powerful and spiritual, so this tribute is really about honoring that depth and intensity. We will be celebrating his legacy—his innovation, his emotional honesty and the way he pushed the boundaries of jazz. I have always had supreme love and respect for John and Alice Coltrane’s music, and I want to interpret that through my own voice. It’s going to be a very heartfelt and energetic performance that hopefully captures the spirit of what the Coltranes stood for.”
How have John and Alice Coltrane influenced your work?
"Both John and Alice Coltrane have had a huge influence on the way I think about music and how I choose to live my daily musical life. Trane’s discipline musically and personally has always been inspiring. His relentless search for new sounds and ideas really inspires me to keep exploring and growing as a musician and a person. Alice’s music, on the other hand, has this incredible spiritual and meditative quality. It reminds me that music can be a form of healing and transcendence. To me they are two sides of the spectrum that perfectly fit together.”
Are there other performers you’re excited to see at the festival?
“Of course! I’m super excited to hear Kamasi Washington and Hiromi. And I really want to meet the festival’s artistic director, Mr. Stanley Clarke. I have always looked up to all three of them and it’s a joy to be included with such masters. I recently recorded a song with Hiromi off my new album We Dream and it was such a magical time.”
Santa Monica International Jazz Festival
May 1-9
smjazzfest.com
Tribute to John Coltrane
May 8
BroadStage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica
7 PM