Casey_Benjamin

Casey Benjamin

Casey Benjamin

American musician (1978–2024)

Casey Benjamin (October 10, 1978 – March 30, 2024)[1] was an American saxophonist (alto and soprano), vocoderist, keyboardist, producer, and songwriter.[2] He was a member of the Robert Glasper Experiment which won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for their album Black Radio.[3][4] He was one half of the funk pop new wave duo HEAVy[5] with vocalist Nicky Guiland.[6]

Benjamin performing in 2012

Benjamin was also a member of Stefon Harris's band Blackout and worked with numerous artists at the intersection of jazz, hip-hop, and R&B, including Roy Hargrove, Betty Carter, Derrick Hodge, Victor Bailey, Kris Bowers, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Q-Tip, Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, Diddy, Heavy D, Consequence, DJ Logic, Wyclef Jean, Bilal, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, and Beyonce.[6][7] He also worked with rockers Vernon Reid and Melvin Gibbs.[6] In 2011, he was the keyboard/saxophonist for Patrick Stump's live solo project tour.[8]

Benjamin was from South Jamaica, Queens, New York City.[6] He picked up the saxophone at eight years old and continued studying the instrument at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.[6] He also attended workshops with jazz pianist Barry Harris.[6] Later, he attended The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in Manhattan, where he met Robert Glasper.[6]

Benjamin died suddenly on March 30th 2024, at the age of 45. The cause of his death was a pulmonary thromboembolism (blood clot).[9] According to a statement released by his family on his social media, he was recovering from a recent surgery at the time of his death.[10][11]

Discography

As sideman

More information Year recorded, Leader ...

References

  1. [1]
    Casey Benjamin. October 10, 1978 - March 30, 2024
  2. [2]
    [dead link]
  3. [3]
    "Robert Glasper Experiment In The GRAMMY Winner's Circle". The Grammys. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  4. [4]
    "Jazz Articles: Robert Glasper: Renegade of Funk - By Bill Beuttler — Jazz Articles". JazzTimes. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  5. [5]
    "HEAVy's Biography cited on BBE Records". Archived from the original on February 19, 2009.
  6. [6]
    "Casey Benjamin | Yamaha Artists". Yamaha.com. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  7. [7]
    "Stephon Harris & Blackout on allaboutjazz.com". Archived from the original on November 24, 2006.
  8. [8]
    "Fall Out Boy didn't fall out, but Patrick Stump moves on with 'Truant Wave,' 'Soul Punk'". Chicago Sun-Times. March 30, 2011. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  9. [9]
    "Memorial Page for Casey Benjamin". Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  10. [10]
    O'Brien, Andrew (April 1, 2024). "Casey Benjamin, Saxophonist & Vocoder Master For Robert Glasper Experiment, Dies At 45". Liveforlivemusic.com.
  11. [11]
    Blistein, Jon (April 1, 2024). "Casey Benjamin, Ace Multi-Instrumentalist for Robert Glasper, A Tribe Called Quest, Dead at 45". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 2, 2024.


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