R.I.P. renowned musician, composer and producer Chuck Loeb

(August 1, 2017) We are sad to inform SoulTrackers of the death of Grammy nominated guitarist, composer, and producer, Chuck Loeb, at age 61.

Loeb has had a musical career that spanned over four decades, as a top jazz recording artist (with more than a dozen and a half solo recordings), a composer of over 250 published songs, a producer of over thirty world-renowned recording artists; as well as an in-demand clinician and educator.

In addition to his solo work, the New York-born Loeb was part of the jazz supergroup Fourplay. He also worked with countless other artists ranging from Bob Dylan to Bob James, over his four decade career.

More from Loeb’s career, courtesy of his website: Sound has been a central focus in Loeb’s musical journey, intensified greatly by the influence of Stan Getz, who gave Loeb one of his first big breaks in the world of music. He joined the Getz band in 1979 and toured and recorded with the jazz legend for the next several years. In 1984 Chuck joined the all-star group Steps Ahead featuring Michael Brecker, who Chuck considers his greatest musical inspiration. After nearly twenty years as a seasoned studio musician with thousands of sessions under his belt, ranging from jazz, to pop, to rock & roll, to Broadway, classical and even folk music, Loeb firmly believes in the inclusion of all areas of music in the working knowledge and practice of the twenty-first century musician. This concept is central to his educational work as a clinician, and in his work with his "String Training" seminars & forthcoming video series. In a NY Times, feature article he was dubbed "The Clark Kent of jazz guitar" for his understated style and subtle prowess.

Mr. Loeb's label, Shanachie, issued the following: We at Shanachie are saddened by the loss of Chuck Loeb, who had been part of the Shanachie family of artists for two decades. As guitarist, arranger, producer and composer, Chuck's wide-ranging artistry manifested across genre boundaries and, aside from creating hits for himself, Chuck helped many other artists to create great music. Beyond his gifts as a musical artist, Chuck was one of those rare people about whom only good things were said... in his unassuming way Chuck's presence was always a positive one. Beyond his unquestioned technical brilliance and musical facility, there was a sensitive spirit which is memorably manifested on his beloved composition "Blue Kiss." We will miss him.

Chuck Loeb was a huge talent and his death is a great loss to the music world.