Casey Benjamin, the Grammy-winning saxophonist, keyboardist, and vocoder pioneer renowned for his role in the Robert Glasper Experiment, passed away on March 30, 2024, at the age of 45.
His death occurred while he was recovering from surgery; the cause was later confirmed as a pulmonary thromboembolism (blood clot).
A Musical Prodigy from Queens
Born on October 10, 1978, in South Jamaica, Queens, New York, Benjamin began playing the saxophone at age eight. He honed his craft at the Harlem School of the Arts and Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.
Furthering his education, he attended The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, where he met pianist Robert Glasper in 1997.
Innovating Sound with the Robert Glasper Experiment
Benjamin became a founding member of the Robert Glasper Experiment in 2004. His distinctive use of vocoder and saxophone contributed to the group’s genre-defying sound, blending jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and soul. The band’s 2012 album Black Radio won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album, and their rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Jesus Children of America” earned them the Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance in 2015.
Collaborations Across Genres
Beyond his work with Glasper, Benjamin collaborated with a diverse array of artists, including Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Kanye West, and Lady Gaga . He was also one half of the funk-pop duo HEAVy, alongside vocalist Nicky Guiland.
Tributes and Legacy
Following his passing, tributes poured in from the music community. Bassist Derrick Hodge expressed gratitude for Benjamin’s influence, stating, “Thank you for inspiring me, for being a light in my life, and for your unbelievable influence on the music world” . Rapper Lupe Fiasco remembered him as a “masterpiece of a person”.
Casey Benjamin’s innovative spirit and contributions to music continue to inspire artists and audiences alike. His legacy lives on through his recordings and the countless musicians he influenced.
