Benjamin performing in 2012

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 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

Year recorded Leader Title Label
2004 Stefon Harris Evolution Blue Note
2009 Robert Glasper Double Booked Blue Note
2009 Stefon Harris Urbanus Concord
2011 Robert Glasper Black Radio Blue Note
2012 Kris Bowers Heroes + Misfits Concord
2013 Robert Glasper Black Radio 2 Blue Note

References

  1. ^ Casey Benjamin. October 10, 1978 - March 30, 2024
  2. ^ [1] [dead link]
  3. ^ "Robert Glasper Experiment In The GRAMMY Winner's Circle". The Grammys. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  4. ^ "Jazz Articles: Robert Glasper: Renegade of Funk - By Bill Beuttler — Jazz Articles". JazzTimes. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  5. ^ "HEAVy's Biography cited on BBE Records". Archived from the original on February 19, 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Casey Benjamin | Yamaha Artists". Yamaha.com. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  7. ^ "Stephon Harris & Blackout on allaboutjazz.com". Archived from the original on November 24, 2006.
  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. ^ "Memorial Page for Casey Benjamin". Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  10. ^ O'Brien, Andrew (April 1, 2024). "Casey Benjamin, Saxophonist & Vocoder Master For Robert Glasper Experiment, Dies At 45". Liveforlivemusic.com.
  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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