Inaugural James Casey Birthday Benefit Auction and Cancer Screening Drive to Launch in February Featuring Items Donated by Trey Anastasio, String Cheese Incident and More

February 4, 2025
Inaugural James Casey Birthday Benefit Auction and Cancer Screening Drive to Launch in February Featuring Items Donated by Trey Anastasio, String Cheese Incident and More

Today, Feb. 4, on beloved saxophonist James Casey’s birthday, his wife, Ayla, has announced the inaugural James Casey’s Birthday Benefit auction and screening drive in partnership with the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH). The event continues Casey’s combined legacy of music and advocacy after he passed away from early-onset colon cancer in 2023.

The impending auction includes a variety of one-of-a-kind collector’s items donated by beloved members of the jam scene. Highlights of the charity auction include a custom, signed guitar from Dave Matthews, VIP ticket packages from Casey’s TAB bandleader Trey Anastasio, and the String Cheese Incident and the Disco Biscuits. 

Also featured is a Lesh and Casey signed drumhead from Phil & Friends’ sold-out shows held Dec. 27-28, 2022, at the Warfield, San Francisco. Fellow ‘Friends’ Rick Mitarotonda, Grahame Lesh, Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie Cressman, Holly Bowling, and John Molo’s signatures can also be found on the drumhead. A complete list of items is available here. Bidding will open virtually on Feb. 25 at noon E.T. and continue until March 2 at 8 p.m. E.T. 

All proceeds gained through the charity auction will directly support colorectal cancer screening services for uninsured people through Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC), an organization committed to early cancer detection. 

Following the auction, the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH) will host a virtual webinar and screening drive in honor of Casey. Dubbed “Your Health, Your Voice: Knowing the Signs of Colorectal Cancer and Taking Action,” the event will occur on Sunday, March 2. It will offer a conversation about colorectal cancer trends and risks, particularly for the younger generation. 

The webinar will include a discussion between gut health physicians as well as Casey’s friends and fellow artists, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader Louis Cato and the first Black Radio City Music Hall Rockette and colorectal cancer survivor [who appeared in Casey’s “New Bloom” music video], Jennifer Jones. This event is free and open to the public. 

“Because colon cancer is almost always treatable when caught early, James shared his story in hopes that others might avoid his fate,” James’ wife, Ayla, shares. “Thank you all for the continued support you’ve shown for James and this mission. We hope this initiative will make a positive impact on our community and amplify James’ message as we celebrate his life, music and legacy.” 

To learn more about James Casey, his cancer battle and how it intersected with his musical journey, watch the docu-short Music As Medicine: A James Casey Story and visit his official website www.jamescaseysax.co for more. 

An auction inventory list is available to view HERE. Those wanting to support the benefit’s cause can also donate via GiveButter.com.