LeRoi Moore, Saxophonist for Dave Matthews Band, Dead at 46

LeRoi Moore, the skilled and diversely influenced saxophonist for Dave Matthews Band, died Tuesday, August 19 of complications suffered from injuries sustained in an all-terrain vehicle accident, according to The Associated Press.

Moore died at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, after being admitted for injuries as a result of a crash that occurred on his farm near Charlottesville, VA. A concert, scheduled Tuesday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, went on as planned, with saxophonist Jeff Coffin, of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, substituting for Moore, according to CNN.

On Dave Matthews Band's official site, the front page gives this statement: "We would like to take a moment at this sad time to thank everyone for the outpouring of condolences and notes celebrating LeRoi's life...a fund has been created in honor of LeRoi Moore in support of charities that reflect both his spirit and passion." Donations are now being accepted at the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, whose address is available at DaveMatthewsBand.com.

Moore was a key component of the band's sound, and one of its founding members. Formed in Virginia in the early 90s, they combined some of the Grateful Dead and Phish's jam-band sensibility with a pop-music feel. Their self-released debut, Remember Two Things, enjoyed surprising success for an independent record, according to MTV.com.

Finally signing with RCA Records, the band released Under the Table and Dreaming in fall 1994. In the spring of the following year, they released the hit single "What Would You Say," featuring John Popper of Blues Traveler on harmonica, which went on to sell over one million copies. The single's sales were helped by its video, which interspersed shots of the band performing live with Andy Warhol-like animated sequences. Prominently featured in the video was a sax solo by Moore. Under the Table was dedicated in memory of Matthews' older sister Anne, killed in 1994 in a murder-suicide.

The band's unique South African sound was immeasurably influenced by Moore's mastery of not only the entire family of saxophones, but flute, clarinet, and even the wooden penny whistle. David Saull, a woodwind repairman in Charlottesville, noted that Moore "had quite an extensive horn collection," according to Zimbio.com. In 2002, this collection included such instruments as a rare Buescher bass saxophone, Selmer Mark VI tenors, and a number of alto and soprano saxes as well, according to the site.

Moore will be sorely missed by many, and members of the band have expressed that he is irreplaceable. Even listeners who disliked Dave Matthews Band as a whole have expressed sorrow over Moore's passing. His family, band members, and innumerable fans hold him in their hearts.