Jay Bennett Dies In Sleep

Former Wilco member and celebrated solo artist in his own right Jay Bennett has died, reports the Undertow Music Collective.

A post on the label's official website reads simply: "We are profoundly saddened to report that our friend died in his sleep last night. Jay was a beautiful human being who will be missed."

Bennett was a member of Chicago alt-rock outfit Wilco from 1994 'til 2001 (and a founder of the group Titanic Love Affair before that), but ultimately fell out with band leader Jeff Tweedy. Bennett played his part on breakthrough albums 'Summerteeth' and 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot', but the nature of his departure from the band was untidy, to say the least - the curious can dig up the dirt with 2002 documentary I Am Trying To Break Your Heart.

Bennett - aged 45 when he died yesterday - went on to release four solo albums after leaving Wilco, as well as a collaborative record with Edward Burch. His former Wilco bandmates have not yet given any official comment.

Hear Bennett's solo material on his MySpace page.