RIP James Casey

[WhatstheUse?]

From Trey's FB page. 

I'm heartbroken about the loss of our friend and bandmate James. My heart is with James' mother and father, his beautiful wife Ayla, and with the rest of his amazing family.
James was a magnificent soul. His spirit and personality glowed. His playing was elegant, stormy, soulful and lyrical. He was a powerful and melodic improviser, and spot on when reading intricate charts. His tone was full and warm, his singing voice was beautiful. I loved harmonizing with James. His smile filled the room.
I'll never forget the feeling of jousting with James on baritone sax and guitar. We would make eye contact and just go for it, diving into waves of sound together. Dark, scary, blues-filled jams. He was a force of nature. It felt like being in a tiny boat together in a huge storm in the middle of the ocean.
It's impossible to describe the deep connection that James, Natalie, and Jen had as a horn section in TAB. It was a magical, once in a lifetime section. Deep bonds of musicianship and friendship.
James's connection with Ayla was indescribable. She poured her complete soul into caring for James throughout every second of his battle with cancer. James talked about how much it meant to him. All of James' friends and family will be forever grateful to Ayla. All of us in the band loved seeing the two of them together. You could feel the deep love they had for each other. My heart is with Ayla today. We love you Ayla.
We all especially loved the nights on tour when James' incredible family would come to shows. I loved seeing them laughing together in catering, or at soundcheck. James was a kind, loving, talented, and caring person, and a beautiful friend. His family completed that picture. James will be missed by all of us who loved him.
James, you live in our hearts forever.

[Hicks]

RIP, terrible news, vibes to his family and friends.

[emay]

Such a blow   Thinkin of his family and band mates.

One of his last performances at pier six last month

https://youtu.be/HVHt1boIyEc?si=sazHnscPoKy712lH

[Hicks]

 

[shoreline99]

RIP, terrible news, vibes to his family and friends.

This. Cancer sucks, man. 

[sunrisevt]

Goddammit  

[rowjimmy]

Fucking awful. Dude was way too young.

Dig on this shit:

[PIE-GUY]

All you dudes better get your colonoscopies. If you're 45 or older it is time. I did it. It was easy. DO IT!!!

Rest in Peace, James. He was an amazing dude. 

[mistercharlie]

FUCK! Way too young. Gonna miss hearing him play. 

[Buffalo Budd]

Well that is just heartbreaking.
RIP.

[anthrax]

oh no!  RIP

[Superfreakie]

Lost my father to colon cancer. Very sad. I get a colonoscopy every 3 years. They remove a few polips each time. If you have history in your fam, get it done. If you don't and you're of age....GET IT DONE.

[mistercharlie]

Lost my father to colon cancer. Very sad. I get a colonoscopy every 3 years. They remove a few polips each time. If you have history in your fam, get it done. If you don't and you're of age....GET IT DONE.

I'm about 2 years from that process starting. Not looking forward to it, but doing it for sure.

[kellerb]

Got my first one last year, I highly recommend.  the 1/4 day of pooping is fine.  and the Michael Jackson Nap is *amazing*

[mistercharlie]

I've been watching the Billy &The Kids shows from Red Rocks 21, with James, today.

Just got to My Sisters and Bothers with James singing and I started bawling line a baby. He was too damn young to be gone!


And then I get to him singing Dear Prudence..  I'm not crying, you're crying!