Part of a yearlong celebration of my favorite people, places, and things in music from the past 25 years.

I miss Jaimie Branch.

It’s not like I really knew her. We only spoke twice. It’s amazing how much impact an individual can have on someone in a short period of time. Jaimie was one of those people.

Jaimie Branch (her friends called her “Breezy”) was a comet that streaked across my musical horizon. She came in quickly, burned brightly, and faded away almost instantly.

But she made an impact all the same.

As much as I adore jazz, the old school Post-Bop formula had started to feel old. I didn’t dislike it. I just wanted to know what else was out there. I called it a search for “21st Century Jazz.”

I came across some interesting bands like Kneebody, Mammal Hands, and GoGo Penguin. In early 2021, I was scanning Bandcamp and saw a record called Fly or Die II: bird dogs of paradise. The musician was Jaimie Branch.

As a kid, I would visit record stores with my father. My allowance was almost always left at the store. There were times when I couldn’t decide what I wanted. They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Does that rule apply records as well? For me, not necessarily. If the album’s artwork is amazing, imagine what could be going on with the music! That’s my logic, anyway.

A quick glance at Jaimie’s biography informed me that she had lived in Chicago, where I had been a resident for a couple of months. Even though she had since moved to Brooklyn, I still thought of her as a “local.” A funny thought coming from me, but still …

Then came the music. When exploring something new, I do my best to empty my mind in order to free myself from expectation. Then I can hear what’s actually happening, as opposed to what I thought might happen. It really paid off this time.

Jaimie had a lot to say. And not just with her trumpet. But while I’m on the subject, Jaimie’s trumpet tone was devastating! I mean that in the most complimentary way. Her tone was as clear as a bell, rich, warm, and positively ear-splitting. Wherever she was in the mix, she was gonna be heard!

No doubt her tone was a result of her education at the New England Conservatory of Music, where she specialized not just in jazz, but in Classical and rock as well.

Jaimie was also a vocalist. A frustrated vocalist. As in socially conscious and frustrated. Fly or Die’s second tune is called “prayer for amerikkka,” which gives the listener a good idea of where things are headed. (By the way, the lack of capitalization in the song title was done intentionally by Jaimie.)

As a vocalist, Jaimie pulled no punches. The same could be said for her music. It marched right into your being, refusing to let up until she finished saying what she had to say. This was jazz at its deepest, raw and unfiltered. I fell in love with Fly or Die II immediately.

I was thrilled to learn Jaimie was bringing her band to Chicago. I wasted no time buying a ticket. Before long, it was time to head to the Constellation for the performance.

I make it a habit to get to General Admission shows ridiculously early. I want a good spot! For this show, I was the first one through the venue’s doors. Alas, the door to the actual stage wasn’t open yet. So, I took the opportunity to sit at the bar and wait.

Before long, Jaimie and her band came out after completing their soundcheck. They sat at a table near me to have dinner. (I actually remember that it was Chinese food. That’s a first.) Thing is, I didn’t recognize Jaimie!

I remember thinking this person eating with the band (I knew it was the band because I recognized Chad Taylor, the drummer) looked a little disheveled. Her clothes fit oddly, and she seemed just a bit out of it. But I just dismissed the thoughts and went back to my drink. It was only after she hit the stage that I realized who that person was!

Jaimie brought a killer quartet with her, featuring Taylor, Lester St. Louis (cello and percussion), and Jason Ajemian (bass and percussion). Together, they recreated Fly or Die II for the audience. It was a marvelous performance. I had to meet this remarkable woman.

After the show, Jaimie hung around to sell CDs and records at the merchandise table. That’s when I introduced myself. I confessed to not recognizing her earlier, which made her laugh. She couldn’t have been kinder. I told her that I would love to interview her after the tour, to which she agreed. I bought a CD, which she signed, and I was on my way.

A few weeks later, we had that chat for my YouTube channel. It was a wonderful time. I eagerly looked forward to the next time I got to see Jaimie in person.

It never came to pass.

Jaimie had been battling substance abuse disorder for a few years. She admitted as much in a 2017 interview. In retrospect, I think that may have been what was “off” the first time I saw her. I was a policeman for 25 years. I had developed a sense for that kind of thing. But I wasn’t in Cop Mode that night, so I ignored it. There was nothing I could’ve done anyway.

In August of 2022, I was stunned to learn Jaimie had passed away. A cause of death wasn’t given, but my cop instinct kicked in again and I had a bad feeling that I knew what happened.

A few weeks later, I found out I was right. Jaimie died from an accidental overdose at her home in Brooklyn. My sadness consumed me for days. That substance demon takes no prisoners. It still hurts my heart when I think on it.

Still, I refuse to harbor any negative thoughts or feelings toward Jaimie. The woman I met and interviewed was warm, bright, and engaging. She had a great sense of humor and was clearly passionate about her craft. That’s more than enough for me. I don’t need the music to remind me, but I’m glad it does.

The world needs more Jaimie Branches. Perhaps they’re out there somewhere. But something tells me they’re rare, and that’s a loss for all of us.

Rest easy, Breezy. You are and forever shall be missed.

#cirdecsongs

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