Casey Benjamin

Casey Benjamin (born October 10, 1978) is an American saxophonist (alto and soprano), vocoderist, keyboardist, producer, and songwriter.[1] He is a member of the Robert Glasper Experiment which won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for their album Black Radio.[2][3] He is one half of the funk pop new wave duo HEAVy[4] with vocalist Nicky Guiland.[5] He was also a member of Stefon Harris' band Blackout and has 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.[5][6] He has also worked with rockers Vernon Reid and Melvin Gibbs.[5] In 2011, he was the keyboard/saxophonist for Patrick Stump's live solo project tour.[7]

Performance in Nice, 2012

Benjamin is from South Jamaica, Queens, New York City.[5] He picked up the saxophone at eight years old and continued studying the instrument at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.[5] He also attended workshops with legendary jazz pianist and educator Barry Harris.[5] Later, he attended The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in Manhattan, where he met Robert Glasper.[5]