It is with much sadness that I report the passing of Jay Bennett, multi-instrumentalist and former member of Wilco, who died early Sunday morning.  Bennett is probably best known for his acromonious departure from the band, which was recorded in the documentary I Am Trying To Break Your Heart.  Regardless of the on-camera drama that unfolded during filming, Bennett’s contributions to the Wilco cannon stands as documentation of his masterful work as a songwriter, producer and composer.  From Being There through to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Bennett helped lead the band away from their rock country  roots and begin to experiment with sound, textures, and atmosphere.

Late last year, Bennett released a solo album, Whatever Happened I Apologize free on the Web, and was currently working on his next solo album.  More recently his name had been back in the news after he filed a law suit against his former band for breach of contract, looking for more than $50,000 in damages.  A statement on the web site for Undertow Music Collective (the label that relased his 2002 album Palace at 4 am (Part I)) said that Bennett “died in his sleep last night. Jay was a beautiful human being who will be missed.”  An autopsy is pending.

MP3: Wilco “Kamera”