Guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, engineer, producer, singer-songwriter and former member of Wilco, Jay Bennett, died early Sunday morning in Urbana, Illinois. He was 45 years old. The cause of death is unknown but an autopsy is being performed.

Jay Bennett is most well known for his role in Wilco from 1994 to 2001. Bennett departed from the band during the recording of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Conflicts between Bennett and front-man Jeff Tweedy are visible in the 2002 film I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco by Sam Jones.

Bennett’s last release was solo album entitled Whatever Happened I Apologize which is available as a free download. At the time of his death he was working on another solo album entitled Kicking at the Perfumed Air.

As huge fans of his work with Wilco including Being There, Summerteeth, and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, we are deeply saddened and overwhelmed by his death. This truly is a sad day for music.

Rest in peace Jay. You will be missed.