Casey Bryon Benjamin, 45, of Queens, New York, suffered a pulmonary thromboembolism and passed away March 30th, 2024.
Casey was a first generation New Yorker, born in Brooklyn to a Panamanian mother, Julieta Benjamin, and a Grenadian father, Gentle Benjamin. He grew up listening to music and began to show an interest in jazz at the tender age of 4. He started playing the saxophone at the age of 8, and began performing at the age of 12. Casey studied at the Harlem School of the Arts and graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art.
Casey complemented his early jazz studies by attending pianist Barry Harris’ Jazz Workshops and Dr. Billy Taylor’s Jazzmobile. As a young kid, growing up in Jamaica, Queens also afforded Casey contact with musicians involved in the bustling Jamaica Funk crew – bassist Marcus Miller, trumpeter Tom Browne, and keyboardists Bernard Wright, Donald Blackman, Ozell Miller and Weldon Irvine Jr.
After high school, Casey attended The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in Manhattan, where he met Robert Glasper in 1997. Robert played piano on Casey’s demo for Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead program, which brings outstanding students together with experienced artists who coach, counsel and help them develop their performance, composing, and arranging skills. This acclaimed residency program culminates with a series of concerts performed by the students and artists together at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.
Casey and Robert collaborated formally beginning in 2004, and Casey became the first original member of the Robert Glasper Experiment, which played its first gig at New York City’s Knitting Factory.
Casey constantly pushed past the limits of music and genre. He pioneered a unique style on the saxophone, aerophone and vocoder, and developed a sound that was wholly original.
Through his melodic ingenuity on the vocoder and vocals, textual mastery on the keytar and spiky virtuosity on the alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone and wind synthesizer, Casey gave the Robert Glasper Experiment its most defining sounds that enabled it to earn two GRAMMY awards and gain international acclaim in the jazz, R&B and hip-hop scenes on such trailblazing albums as Black Radio (Blue Note Records, 2012), Black Radio 2 (Blue Note Records, 2013) and ArtScience (Blue Note Records, 2016).
In addition to the Experiment, Casey toured with singer Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy) and traveled the world working with a string of other stellar musicians that include jazz greats – singer Betty Carter, vibraphonists Roy Ayers and Stefon Harris (Blackout), drummer Mike Clark (Headhunters), trumpeter Roy Hargrove, bassist Victor Bailey, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and bassist Buster Williams; hip-hop artists – Drake, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Mos Def (Yasiin Bey), Q-Tip, A Tribe Called Quest, Common, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, Busta’ Rhymes, Pusha T, Diddy, Heavy D, Consequence, DJ Logic and Wyclef Jean; R&B/Pop singers – Anderson Paak, Solange, Yebba Smith, Bilal, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Lady Gaga, Summer Walker and Beyoncé; and Black Rock Coalition gurus – Vernon Reid and Melvin Gibbs.
With singer and songwriter Nicky Guiland, Casey co-led the funk-forward combo, HEAVy, which has released three discs –HEAVy (Kindred Spirits, 2000), Jazz Money$$ (BBE, 2007) and First Sessions (Kindred Spirits, 2008).
View archives of Casey’s musical history and performances here.
Casey most recently contributed his musical genius and creativity to the ALI Musical as associate music producer alongside Q-Tip, lead producer Richard Willis and director Clint Dyer. ALI the Musical is slated to open on Broadway in 2025. Casey’s solo album will also be released soon, fulfilling his dream to share his new music with the world.
Casey was a true artist; his distinctive aesthetic and style transcended far beyond music. He loved classic cars, including his 1977 Chevy Silverado, Jackie May. He rocked everything from cowboy boots to vintage to designer fashion. He commissioned custom hats from Armed & Dangerous that became part of his signature look. He stayed connected to his family heritage, cooking West Indian ackee and saltfish and naming his first dog after Panamanian boxing champion Roberto Durán.
Casey’s smile was legendary; it lit up any room. He had a wry sense of humor and a kind, generous spirit. Alongside all of Casey’s accomplishments, he always found time to mentor young musicians. He was a loving son, brother, nephew, uncle, great-uncle, partner and friend. His memory will be kept alive by his mother, Julieta Benjamin, his father, Gentle Benjamin, his aunts Karen McAlmon and Carol Benjamin-David, his grandmother Nadia Benjamin, his siblings, Kevin Benjamin, Nicole Benjamin and Cristina B. King, his partner Whitley Davis, and their beloved dogs, Reeses, Rocky and Junior.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Casey Benjamin Memorial Foundation, which is being established to support causes close to Casey’s heart, including music education and training for underserved youth, and financial assistance for professional musicians who need it. Donations in any amount are deeply appreciated.
Many have offered to support our family with unexpected expenses arising during this challenging time. We are grateful for your contributions via Venmo @WeLoveCaseyBenjamin, PayPal @welovecaseybenjamin, or Zelle at welovecaseybenjamin@gmail.com.
The Benjamin family also wishes to express gratitude to the extended family, friends and music community who provided solace, offered love and support, and brought joy into our lives during this challenging time.
Donations can be made at: https://jazzfoundation.org/caseybenjamin/