Casey Benjamin

Casey Benjamin (October 10, 1978 – March 30, 2024)[1] was an American saxophonist (alto and soprano), vocoderist, keyboardist, producer, and songwriter.

[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] Later, he attended The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in Manhattan, where he met Robert Glasper.

[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.