Casey Benjamin, the lauded musician and producer best known for his work on saxophone and vocoder with the Robert Glasper Experiment, has died at age 45, according to several reports.
Benjamin’s passing was confirmed on Monday in a post from his family on his X account. The note states, “It is with the deepest sorrow that the Benjamin family shares the heartbreaking news of the passing of Casey Benjamin. Casey was recovering from a recent surgery, and we are still gathering all the facts.”
“We have been deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support from family, friends, and Casey’s esteemed music community,” the note continues. “Casey stayed true to the art of his music, and the energy of his spirit will live on in eternity. We are committed to continuing Casey’s legacy. Further information will be shared on Casey’s memorial site [here]. Thank you for your continued support and compassion.”
Various fans and fellow musicians have already made posts about his passing including bassist Derrick Hodge, his Robert Glasper Experiment bandmate.
“Tonight, I honor a brother,” Hodge wrote in a post on Instagram. “A true brother and friend. Casey Benjamin, thank you for inspiring me, for being a light in my life, and for your unbelievable influence on the music world. I will carry your smile with me, brother. And we will collectively honor and carry your legacy with us.”
Hodge added, “Can’t get my words together at this moment but will echo a few of my last words to you: I’m thankful for you and love you always! Rest well, King.”
The Queens, NY native began playing saxophone at age eight and studied at the well-known Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts before enrolling at the New School. There, he met a young Robert Glasper, with whom he went on to form a lasting creative relationship.
The Robert Glasper Experiment—comprised predominantly of Robert Glasper (keys, piano, synths), Derrick Hodge (bass), Chris Dave (drums, percussion), and Casey Benjamin (vocoder, flute, saxophone, synths)—won a Grammy Award for Best R&B album for the groundbreaking 2012 LP Black Radio, which featured guest appearances by Erykah Badu, Lalah Hathaway, Lupe Fiasco, Bilal, Ledisi, Musiq Soulchild, Meshell Ndegeocello, Yasiin Bey, and more. The follow-up album, 2013’s Black Radio 2, was also nominated for a Best R&B Album and netted Benjamin his second Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for the album’s recreation of Stevie Wonder‘s “Jesus Children of America”.
Beyond his work with Robert Glasper, he collaborated with an array of notable artists from the jazz, hip-hop, and R&B worlds including Roy Gargrove, Kendrick Lamar, Betty Carter, Nas, Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes, DJ Logic, Wyclef Jean, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Beyoncé, and more. He also performed as one-half of the funk pop new wave duo HEAVy alongside vocalist Nicky Guiland and netted acclaim as a member of the band on jazz vibraphonist Stefon Harris‘ 2009 LP, Urbanus.
In 2019, Benjamin took part in the first-ever edition of Live For Live Music‘s long-running series of all-star funk jams, The Funk Sessions, in Denver, CO alongside members of Lettuce, The Motet, and TAUK. Watch a full video of that performance below.
Live For Live Music Presents: The Funk Sessions ft. Casey Benjamin, More – Full Video – 1/29/19
“It goes without saying that the initial lineup of the Glasper Experiment was on some Jordan Era 91-93/96-98 Bulls Rings Ish,” said Questlove, the drummer for The Roots and an admirer of Benjamin’s work, in a memorial post. “Seriously…..damn near every member of this squad was a god in their own right and I considered Casey Benjamin the Horace Grant of the squad. His presence allowed Glasper the space to do what I think Glasper does best which is paint colors that otherwise would be a task had Glasper had the job of leading the mission with just one keyboard. It was always my dream to work with Casey whose vocoder work & sax work was just friggin otherworldly.”
“I know I bitch about the state of music we’re in with snide remarks but I also love giving credit to where it is due,” Questlove added, “Just sad to give another bouquet of flowers to a talented gracious amazing creative soul and human being who left the plane before I got to record in the studio with him or before I got a chance to tell him just one more time how mind blowing his work was.”
Read remembrances of Casey Benjamin from his musical peers below. Rest easy, Casey. You will be missed.
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Rest in peace Casey Benjamin. We’ve lost one of the greatest musicians of our time. I will always love you and miss you, my friend. pic.twitter.com/3EF8jhgo9v
— SINKANE (@Sinkane) April 1, 2024
The passing of Casey Benjamin is a brutal & terrible shock. He was a longtime MD to @projectlogic. My sincerest condolences go out to my YoHimBe Brother on this day of revelation. I’m in a weird place with it. Too young! Too soon!. So much left to give! Rest. In. Power, CB!
https://t.co/4Nm2tStUrv
— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) April 1, 2024
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The post Casey Benjamin, Saxophonist & Vocoder Master For Robert Glasper Experiment, Dies At 45 appeared first on L4LM.
