The Lonnie Plaxico Group featuring N'Kenge at Zinc Bar

Lonnie Plaxico is a Chicago-born bassist, composer, and producer whose career spans jazz, funk, and beyond. Raised in a musical family, he taught himself electric bass by age twelve and turned professional at just fourteen, performing with leading Chicago jazz artists before expanding to acoustic bass.

After moving to New York in 1980, Plaxico quickly became a sought-after sideman, working with legends including Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon, and Wynton Marsalis. From 1983 to 1986, he was a core member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, appearing on twelve albums, including the GRAMMY Award–winning New York Scene. He later spent seven years with Jack DeJohnette’s Special Edition.

For over fifteen years, Plaxico has served as musical director and featured bassist for Cassandra Wilson, contributing to numerous critically acclaimed, award-winning recordings. His extensive collaborations also include Sonny Stitt, Alice Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Abbey Lincoln, Steve Coleman, Dianne Reeves, and Ravi Coltrane.

Plaxico’s distinctive sound seamlessly blends classical technique, jazz improvisation, and the raw energy of funk, creating a powerful and deeply expressive musical voice.

A five-octave vocal powerhouse, N’Kenge is redefining crossover artistry. Her single “Bewitched”, from the album CenterStage: Live from the Ella Fitzgerald Festival, soared to #2 on the smooth jazz charts and drew international acclaim from critics across Italy and South Africa. A Tony, Emmy, and Grammy-nominated performer, N’Kenge has headlined with major orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Edmonton Symphony, and Jacksonville Symphony, and performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Madison Square Garden. Her dynamic blend of classical precision and soulful expression has made her a global favorite in pop, opera, and jazz. She has appeared on Broadway in Sondheim on Sondheim, Motown: The Musical, and Caroline, or Change, originated the role of The Moon, and performed at the Commander-in-Chief Inaugural Ball for President Obama, televised internationally. With over 26 million TikTok views for her hit “Goosebump Moment”, N’Kenge continues to bridge classic artistry and modern audiences.