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 30, 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
editAs sideman
edit| 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
edit- ^ Casey Benjamin. October 10, 1978 - March 30, 2024
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ "Robert Glasper Experiment In The GRAMMY Winner's Circle". The Grammys. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
- ^ "Jazz Articles: Robert Glasper: Renegade of Funk - By Bill Beuttler — Jazz Articles". JazzTimes. June 4, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
- ^ "HEAVy's Biography cited on BBE Records". Archived from the original on February 19, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Casey Benjamin | Yamaha Artists". Yamaha.com. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^ "Stephon Harris & Blackout on allaboutjazz.com". Archived from the original on November 24, 2006.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Memorial Page for Casey Benjamin". Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ O'Brien, Andrew (April 1, 2024). "Casey Benjamin, Saxophonist & Vocoder Master For Robert Glasper Experiment, Dies At 45". Liveforlivemusic.com.
- ^ 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.
External Links
edit- Casey Benjamin discography at Discogs
- Casey Benjamin at IMDb
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