Four-time GRAMMY®-nominated vibraphonist, composer, educator, and arts leader Stefon Harris marks the 20th anniversary of his groundbreaking ensemble Blackout with Legacy Dances, an inspiring new album that celebrates community, ancestry, innovation, and the transformative power of jazz.
Set for release on August 28, Legacy Dances is both a milestone and a deeply personal tribute. The album honors the extraordinary legacy of electro-jazz pioneer Casey Benjamin, a founding member of Blackout whose sudden passing in 2024 profoundly impacted the band and the jazz community. Rather than ending the group's anniversary celebration, the recording transforms loss into a celebration of creativity, friendship, and enduring artistic influence.
The album will be introduced through a series of singles, beginning with "I Know Love" on May 8 and "What a Wonderful World" on June 5, both showcasing Benjamin's signature vocoder artistry. Harris then follows with two original instrumental compositions, "Echoes of the Lion" on July 3 and "A Radical's Love" on July 31, before unveiling the complete 11-track album.
Since its debut with Evolution in 2004, Blackout has consistently redefined the possibilities of modern jazz by blending virtuosic musicianship with hip-hop, funk, fusion, R&B, and global rhythmic traditions. Harris's breathtaking command of the vibraphone and marimba, combined with the adventurous performances of pianist Marc Cary, drummer Terreon Gully, and especially Casey Benjamin's revolutionary use of electronically processed saxophone, vocoder, and aerophone, established Blackout as one of the most forward-thinking ensembles of its generation.
Reflecting on his longtime friend, Harris says:
"Every once in a while, a truly original being shares this limited space and time with us. Casey occupied a rarefied space brimming with genius, audacity, kindness, and humility. We were all incredibly lucky to have been blessed with the opportunity to create beauty with a true musical master."
Throughout Legacy Dances, Harris explores his philosophy of jazz as "Empathy in Action," viewing the music as a living tradition built upon listening, communication, and collective expression. As he writes in the album's liner notes, jazz carries within its DNA "a blueprint for the transformative power of empathy," providing generations of musicians with tools to amplify the voices and experiences of their communities.
That philosophy resonates across every composition. The title track bursts with energy as Harris's shimmering vibraphone intertwines with Benjamin's soaring saxophone over an irresistible groove, while Christian Sands makes his first appearance with Blackout on piano. Supported by Terreon Gully's masterful drumming and Dezron Douglass's commanding bass lines, the ensemble seamlessly balances intricate composition with fearless improvisation.
The album also pays homage to jazz history with inspired interpretations of Louis Armstrong classics "What a Wonderful World" and "West End Blues." Harris further honors pioneering stride pianist Willie "The Lion" Smith through "Echoes of the Lion," a contemporary reimagining inspired by Smith's legendary "Echoes of Spring."
Several original works draw inspiration from Harris's family, mentors, and the cultural legacy of Newark, New Jersey, particularly poet, playwright, and activist Amiri Baraka, whose vision continues to influence Harris's artistic mission. As Harris explains, legacy is preserved not only through artistic achievements but through the communities and cultural environments that nurture creativity.
Beyond the recording studio and concert stage, Harris continues to shape the future of jazz through education and innovation. He serves as a tenured professor at Rutgers University, co-directs the groundbreaking arts initiative Express Newark, and has spent more than a decade developing Harmony Cloud™, an innovative platform for ear training and improvisation that officially launched at the 2026 Jazz Education Network Conference. Already embraced by thousands of users, Harmony Cloud has been featured at leading institutions including Harvard University, Peabody Conservatory, Temple University, the University of Miami, the University of Oregon, and the University of Southern California, with additional workshops planned around the world.
While Legacy Dances celebrates Harris's remarkable evolution as an artist, educator, and cultural leader, it also serves as a heartfelt farewell to one of jazz's most visionary voices. Harris invites listeners to experience the album as an act of shared listening, learning, dancing, and human connection.
Casey Benjamin's influence, however, continues to grow. Widely recognized for his groundbreaking work with Blackout, the Robert Glasper Experiment, and collaborations with artists including Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Nas, Common, Anderson .Paak, Drake, Solange, Maxwell, Q-Tip, and many others, Benjamin helped redefine the relationship between jazz, technology, hip-hop, and contemporary music.
As noted by WBGO's Angelika Beener, Benjamin was "a wizard of sound and texture" whose artistry permanently expanded the possibilities of modern music.
His legacy will continue through two forthcoming posthumous albums currently being completed by his brother Kevin Benjamin alongside longtime collaborator Blair Wells, ensuring that one of the most innovative musical voices of his generation will continue to inspire audiences for years to come.
Following the release of Legacy Dances, Stefon Harris and Blackout will bring the music to audiences across the country, including performances at Stanford University, New York's Blue Note Jazz Club, Seattle's Jazz Alley, the Exit Zero Jazz Festival, and additional festival appearances this fall.
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