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Famous jazz composer and trumpet player Jaimie Branch passed away on Monday, August 22, at the age of 39. The news was announced by International Anthem, the Chicago-based label that released her music, through an official statement.
“At 9:21 pm on Monday, August 22, composer and trumpeter Jaimie Branch passed away in her home in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Her family, friends, and community are heart broken. Jaimie was a daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend and teacher; she touched countless numbers of people with her music and spirit, both of which are fearless, truthful and beautiful, and will live on in hearts and ears forever.”
The statement continued,
“Jaimie’s family asks not just for your thoughts and prayers but also for your action. Show your love and support for your family and friends and anyone who may be in need – just like Jaimie did for all of us.”
Branch’s cause of death has not been shared and detailed information about her funeral is yet to be announced.
Everything known about Jaimie Branch
Born on June 17, 1983, Jaimie Branch began playing trumpet when she was nine years old. She then shifted to the Chicago suburb of Wilmette at the age of 14 and enrolled in the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
Following her graduation, Branch returned to Chicago and began working as a musician, organizer, and sound engineer for local music with Jason Ajemian, Keefe Jackson, Tim Daisy, Anton Hatwich, and Ken Vandermark. She performed in Chicago and New York with artists like Toby Summerfield, Frank Rosaly, Tim Daisy, Daniel Levin, Matt Schneider, and more.
Branch formed the band Block and Tackle with Jason Stein, Jeb Bishop, and Jason Roebke, and played for five albums from 2006 to 2008. She joined Towson University in 2012 for a master’s degree in Jazz performance and formed the record label Pionic Records at the same time.
However, she left Towson after two years and went to New York to treat her heroin addiction. She moved to Brooklyn in 2015 and started working with artists like Mike Pride, Jason Nazary, Fred Lonberg-Holm, and many more.
Jaimie also worked on albums with independent rock groups like Never Enough Hope, Local H, and Atlas Moth. She then worked with Chad Taylor, Jason Ajemian, and Tomeka Reid in 2016 alongside Mike Pride, Tobey Cederberg, Shayna Dulberger, Yoni Kretzmer, and Weasel Walter.
She released her debut solo album, Fly or Die, in 2017. International Anthem released her second album Fly or Die II: Bird Dogs of Paradise in 2019.
Branch’s musical influences included Don Cherry, Axel Dorner, Booker Little, and Miles Davis.
Netizens pay tribute on Twitter
Jaimie Branch gained recognition for her work with well-known musicians in all these years. People took to Twitter to pay tribute to the talented musician when news of her demise was announced.
Jaimie is survived by her mother, Sally Branch; a sister, Kate Branch; two brothers, Russell and Clark Branch; and nieces and nephews.
