Casey Benjamin, Renowned Saxophonist and Keyboardist Passes Away at 45

Renowned saxophonist and keyboardist Casey Benjamin, best known as an original member of the Robert Glasper Experiment, has passed away at the age of 45, according to reports from HuffPost, citing Benjamin’s management.

Benjamin’s death occurred in March 2024, and the cause has not been disclosed.

In a statement released to Pitchfork, Benjamin’s family expressed their profound grief:

“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. 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.”

Born in Queens, New York, Benjamin began playing saxophone at the age of 8. He honed his skills at the Harlem School of the Arts and Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art.

Over the years, he collaborated with various artists, including jazz legend Robert Glasper, with whom he formed the Robert Glasper Experiment in 2004.

In addition to his work with Glasper, Benjamin was involved in numerous musical projects, including the funk band Heavy, which he co-founded with Nicole Guiland. Recently, he had been collaborating with Q-Tip on the Muhammad Ali Broadway show Ali.

Following news of Benjamin’s passing, fellow musicians paid tribute to his talent and influence. Sinkane described him as “one of the greatest musicians of our time,” while Lupe Fiasco hailed him as a “masterpiece of a person.”

Benjamin’s contributions to the music industry and his legacy as a versatile and innovative artist will be remembered by fans and peers alike.