Jaimie Branch

Avant-Garde Jazz Trumpeter and Composer

Jaimie Branch was an American jazz trumpeter and composer known for her avant-garde approach to music and her ability to blend different genres into a cohesive sound. She emerged as a significant figure in the contemporary jazz scene, particularly within the Chicago jazz community, where she was associated with a new wave of improvisational musicians. Branch's career was marked by her bold experimentation with form and her commitment to political and social issues, which often found expression in her music. Her album "Fly or Die," released in 2017, received critical acclaim for its innovative style and was followed by the sequel "Fly or Die II: Bird Dogs of Paradise" in 2019. These works showcased Branch's talent as a bandleader and composer, featuring a mix of free jazz, punk, and electronic elements. Jaimie Branch's contributions to modern jazz continued to resonate with audiences and critics alike until her untimely passing in 2022.