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Two-time Grenadian GRAMMY award-winning jazz musician Casey Benjamin died on March 30 in Maryland, his father Light Benjamin stated. Casey was 45.
Grenadian-born Light Benjamin – the producer of the defunct, long-running, New York-based Caribbean TV cultural program, Tradition Share – stated Casey, also called “Stutzmcgee,” was a first-generation New Yorker, whose mom was Panamanian-born Julieta Benjamin.
Benjamiin advised Caribbean Life on Tuesday that Casey died from pulmonary thromboembolism, and that he had acquired his GRAMMYs with the band Robert Glasper Experiment in 2013 and 2015.
Benjamin stated Casey started displaying an curiosity in jazz on the tender age of 4, began taking part in the saxophone at 8 and commenced acting at 12.
Rising up in legendary Jamaica, Queens, dwelling of “Jamaica funk,” “Casey was taken underneath the wings and mentored by famend musicians akin to Weldon Irvine, Denzell Miller, Bernard Wright, Donald Blackman and Invoice Jacobs,” Benjamiin stated.
From there, he stated Casey attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia Excessive Faculty of Music & Artwork, and the Performing Arts.
As a scholar, Benjamin stated Casey acquired first place presidential scholar within the Nationwide Basis for the Development within the Arts. This award was introduced to him on the Whitehouse by President Invoice Clinton.
Benjamin stated Casey’s attendance to the New Faculty College/Mannes Jazz Program “allowed him to forge a working relationship together with his mentors and professors,” a few of whom included Joe Chambers, Reggie Workman, Vincent Herring, Buster Williams and the late Betty Carter.
At 14, Benjamin stated “Casey had the chance to play” with the late Grover Washington on WNBC TV-NY, and was chosen on two events to carry out and file two CDs in Los Angeles with the GRAMMYS “all American Excessive Faculty GRAMMY Band.”
Benjamin stated that, at 20, Casey assumed the function of musical director for Venture Logic, with DJ Logic, a turntablist, whose percussive use of the turntable has graced the information of Medeski, Martin & Wooden, in addition to his personal CDS.
Moreover Casey’s common work with Venture Logic, Benjamin stated he additionally carried out, toured and/or recorded with, amongst others, akin to Heavy D, Kenny Inexperienced of Intro, Mikki Howard, Tony Dofat, Bilal, Angie Stone, Ledisi, DJ Spinna, Wycleff Jean, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce and her sister, and P. Diddy.
Benjamin stated Casey additionally appeared on Ellen Degeneras, Conan O’Brien, Jay Leno and David Letterman exhibits.
“Casey’s eclectic musical information, coupled together with his skill to play a number of devices, had opened the door to stay recreations of traditional hip hop beats for MC’s to rhyme over,” Benjamin stated.
He stated Casey carried out on many US and worldwide excursions, and that his various musical expertise led him to kind the group Heavy with Nicole Guiland. Benjamin stated Heavy was a fusion of soul, rock and pop, “garnering world-wide buzz.”
Whereas working with Heavy, Benjamin stated Casey was additionally writing and performing with artists Mos Def and Q-tip. His first solo album was launched in 2012, Benjamin stated.
“I’ve been there for him 100% in each manner potential within the final 45 years of his life,” Benjamin stated. “I’ve been documenting him all his life.
“I can guarantee you, Casey cherished his cultural background and heritage,” he added. “Casey was an easy individual to get together with. He was not an conceited particular person.”
Cheryl Vincent – a preferred Grenadian-born, Brooklyn-based, cultural determine, artiste and calypsonian – expressed “deepest condolences, ideas and prayers to Light Benjamin and his household on the lack of his beloved son, Casey Benjamin, a two-time GRAMMY Award-winning and achieved jazz musician, who has labored with among the industries’ high musicians and artists.
“I’m so heartbroken by this loss,” she stated, including that she “had the privilege of assembly Casey a couple of years in the past at one among our Quake USA occasions. He was so cool and humble.
“SIP (sleep in peace) Casey,” Vincent continued. “You’ve left an indelible mark on the hearts of individuals all around the world whom you’ve gotten touched together with your music and character.
“To your dad Light Ben, might you be comforted by all of the fantastic recollections you’ve gotten of him, and figuring out that he made such a optimistic impression the world over,” she stated.
Casey’s funeral and celebration of life will happen this Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m., at Mt. Olivet Church of Hollis, 202-03 Hollis Ave., St. Alban’s, NY 11412.
Casey’s physique can be interred at Pinelawn Cemetery, adopted by a “Celebration of Life” at The Royal Palm, in Farmingdale, NY.
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