LAKECIA BENJAMIN

New York saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin may have contributed to embellishing the horn sections of Prince, Jay-Z , Missy Elliott and J Cole throughout her career, but as she makes an Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival debut this year, her own accomplished work takes centre stage. Benjamin’s 2023 album Phoenix is imprinted with the eclectic sounds of her home neighbourhood of Washington Heights. Latin merengue and hip hop, as well as bebop and free jazz, make their way into her compositions, accompanied by her Wayne Shorter-esque tone, so smooth and agile it can occasionally be mistaken for a human voice. (Megan Merino)

 George Square Spiegeltent, 16 July, 8.30pm.

After last year’s mesmeric International Festival performance with former band Sons Of Kemet, Theon Cross speaks to Stewart Smith about learning to step into the spotlight and the influences he’s built a career on