Jaimie Branch, a well-known jazz composer and trumpet performer, died on Monday, August 22, at the age of 39. International Anthem, the Chicago-based company that published her songs, made the announcement in an official statement.
“On Monday, August 22, at 9:21 p.m., composer and trumpeter Jaimie Branch died at her home in Red Hook, Brooklyn.” Her family, friends, and community are all devastated. Jaimie was a daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and teacher who impacted the lives of many people with her music and soul, both of which are courageous, honest, and beautiful, and will live on in hearts and ears forever.”
The statement went on,
“Jaimie’s family requests not only your thoughts and prayers but also your action.” Show your love and support for family, friends, and anybody in need, just like Jaimie did for all of us.”
Branch’s cause of death has not been disclosed, and details concerning her funeral have yet to be published.
Everything about Jaimie Branch
Jaimie Branch, born on June 17, 1983, started playing trumpet at the age of nine. At the age of 14, she moved to the Chicago suburb of Wilmette and enrolled at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Branch returned to Chicago after college to work as a performer, organizer, and sound engineer for local music alongside Jason Ajemian, Keefe Jackson, Tim Daisy, Anton Hatwich, and Ken Vandermark. She shared the stage alongside Toby Summerfield, Frank Rosaly, Tim Daisy, Daniel Levin, Matt Schneider, and others in Chicago and New York.
From 2006 until 2008, Branch was a member of the band Block and Tackle, which included Jason Stein, Jeb Bishop, and Jason Roebke. In 2012, she enrolled at Towson University for a master’s degree in jazz performance while also launching the record company Pionic Records. She left Towson after two years to seek treatment for her heroin addiction in New York. She relocated to Brooklyn in 2015 and began collaborating with artists such as Mike Pride, Jason Nazary, Fred Lonberg-Holm, and many more.
Jaimie has also collaborated on records with indie rock bands such as Never Enough Hope, Local H, and Atlas Moth. The next year, she collaborated with Chad Taylor, Jason Ajemian, and Tomeka Reid, as well as Mike Pride, Tobey Cederberg, Shayna Dulberger, and Yoni Kretzmer, and Weasel Walter. In 2017, she released her first solo album, Fly or Die. In 2019, International Anthem published her second studio album, Fly or Die II: Bird Dogs of Paradise. Don Cherry, Axel Dorner, Booker Little, and Miles Davis were among Branch’s musical inspirations.
Twitter users pay tribute
Jaimie Branch has received praise for her collaborations with well-known artists throughout the years. When the news of her death was confirmed, many went to Twitter to offer their respects to the great artist. Jaimie leaves behind her mother, Sally Branch, a sister, Kate Branch, two brothers, Russell and Clark Branch, and nieces and nephews.
I’m really at a loss for words hearing about the passing of Jaimie Branch. One of the most powerful and electrifying musicians I’ve ever seen, truly an immense talent and incredible soul. Way to young, this is heartbreaking. Fly high Jaimie 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/XuC08Utksx
— COSMO BAKER (@CosmoBaker) August 23, 2022
everything Jaimie Branch worked on & every show i ever saw her play was charged with pure unique firebrand energy & so much joy. any amount of time spent with her in person made it clear that she was all of this & more down to the core in every aspect of her life. rest in peace
— Good Willsmith (@GoodWillsmith) August 23, 2022
