Saxophonist Casey Benjamin has died at the age of 45.
Benjamin, 45, earned two Grammys during his career and played for Beyonce, John Legend, Lady Gaga and the Robert Glasper Experiment band during his prolific career.
Benjamin’s management confirmed his death with the Huffington Post on Monday. A cause of death was not given.
Hailing from South Jamaica, Queens, Benjamin was only eight years old when he started playing the saxophone, according to Rolling stone.
He was eventually introduced to future collaborator Glasper when he attended the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.
Saxophonist Casey Benjamin has died at the age of 45; pictured 2016
Benjamin went on to win two Grammy Awards with Glasper’s band. The music group won best traditional R&B performance for their 2011 album Black Radio.
Two years later they won another Grammy for their cover of the Stevie Wonder song Jesus Children of America.
In 2017, during an interview, he revealed some of the big names he had worked with Tchoup Industries.
“Over the last twelve years we’ve worked with everyone from Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, John Legend, Anderson .Paak, Nas, Common, Arcade Fire, Beyonce… lots of things. “I have spent the last 10 years building my resume,” he said.
The talented musician has worked with many of the biggest names in music – according to Rolling Stone, he’s collaborated with Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Arcade Fire and more.
He performed on the Solange album A Seat At The Table and worked on We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service, A Tribe Called Quest’s final album.
Benjamin was also a member of the funk group duo HEAVy with singer Nicky Guiland, and they released several albums together.
Musicians paid tribute to Benjamin online after hearing the heartbreaking news.
Derrick Hodge, bassist of The Robert Glasper Experiment, honored Benjamin on Instagram.
Benjamin, 45, earned two Grammys during his career and was part of the band, the Robert Glasper Experiment; pictured 2016
“Tonight I honor a brother. A true brother and friend. Casey Benjamin, thank you for inspiring me, for being a light in my life, and for your incredible influence on the music world. I will carry your smile with me, brother. And together we will honor and carry your legacy.
“I can’t put my words together right now, but I will repeat a few of my last words to you: I am grateful for you and love you always! Rest in peace, king.’
Lupe Fiasco posted on his Instagram: “Rest in peace Casey Benjamin.
“I can’t even begin to express my deep gratitude and respect.
Derrick Hodge, bassist of The Robert Glasper Experiment, honored Benjamin on Instagram
‘My deepest condolences to the family, fans and friends.’
Questlove remembered Benjamin’s incredible talent when he paid tribute to the musician on his Instagram with a video of his performance.
‘Man. Knowing what I know about history, I pretty much know that if you’re part of Robert Glasper’s world, you’re an instant all-star.
‘It goes without saying that the initial setup of the Glasper Experiment was on some Jordan Era 91-93/96-98 Bulls Rings Ish. The line-up of this clip consists of @markcolenburg (drums) @dhodgeworld (bass).
‘(It goes without saying that @chrisdaddydave — not in this lineup here — is the drum god of drum gods, but there was a specific reason I chose this clip over one that included Dave, but just the lineup of Glasper/Hodge/Dave is monstrous but unfortunately….
Lupe Fiasco posted on his Instagram: “Rest in peace Casey Benjamin
Questlove remembered Benjamin’s incredible talent when he paid tribute to the musician on his Instagram with a video of his performance
“It’s to say goodbye to the great Casey Benjamin. Seriously… damn near every member of this team was a god unto themselves and I considered #CaseyBenjamin to be the Horace Grant of the team.
“His presence gave Glasper the space to do what I think Glasper does best, which is paint colors that would otherwise be a task if Glasper had been tasked with directing the mission with just one keyboard.
‘It was always my dream to work with Casey, whose vocoder and sax work was just damn otherworldly.
“I know I’m b***g about the state of music we’re in with snide comments, but I also like to give credit where it’s due. Just sad to give another bouquet of flowers to a talented, gracious, creative soul and human being who left the plane before I got to record with him in the studio or before I had a chance to tell him one more time how stunning his work was . Rest in Melodie Casey.”