Saxophonist LeRoi Moore was a founding member of Dave Matthews Band. He has died at age 46. He played bass, baritone, alto and soprano sax, flute, bass clarinet and wood penny whistle, and was also the arranger for songs written by Dave Matthews and had co-writing credit on many of the band’s songs, including the signature songs “Too Much” and “Stay.”
Moore suffered serious injuries in an an ATV accident on June 30 outside the band’s home base of Charlottesville, Virginia, including a punctured lung and broken ribs. Moore returned to the hospital last month due to complications.
TMZ reported that the band is scheduled to perform on Tuesday night as planned at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Béla Fleck and the Flecktones saxophonist Jeff Coffin has been filling in for Moore since his accident, according to the band’s Web site.
The band posted the following statement on its Web site Tuesday night: “We are deeply saddened that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. LeRoi had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program.”
Moore was a jazz musician in Charlottesville when he joined forces with Matthews early in 1991. The band released its first album, Remember Two Things, on its own Bama Rags label late in 1993. That album was recorded live, and DMB have gone on to become one of the most successful live acts in North America.
Source: LeRoi Moore, Dave Matthews Band Saxophonist, Dead At 46
With his voice trembling with emotion, Dave Matthews broke the heartbreaking news to a packed Staples Center crowd in L.A. last night — that his close friend and sax player, LeRoi Moore, had died.
Just hours after he learned about Moore’s passing, Dave told the fans, “it’s always easier to leave than be left.”
Source: DMB Concert: “LeRoi Gave His Ghost Up Today” – TMZ.com
Click here for the video of Dave Matthews’ announcement.
See also: Official Dave Matthews Band Web site
Photo credit: Sony BMG Photos via WeeklyDaveSpeak and Dave-Matthews-Band.us
Here is video of LeRoi Moore; the epic performance from July 30th, 2001, featuring LeRoi Moore’s extensive and brilliant sax solo during a long and intricate outro.
Via – Right Celebrity – Dave Matthews Band Saxophonist LeRoi Moore Dies
Here is a LeRoi Moore solo, “Spoon” from September 14, 2003.
Via – Hollywood Crap – DMB Saxophonist LeRoi Moore Dies at 46
LeRoi Moore, Dave Matthews Band Saxophonist (1961-2008) – Video Tribute
