SEATTLE (CelebrityAccess) Jeff Austin, co-founder of Yonder Mountain String Band, died on Monday in Seattle, according to promoter AEG Presents Rocky Mountains.
No cause of death has been provided but AEG Presents confirmed to the Denver Post that Austin, mandolin player, and singer, died after being put into a medically induced coma.
A crowdfunding page has been established to raise money to benefit Austin’s family via the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.
The musician, also the founder of the Jeff Austin Band, canceled three live performances last week at the ROMP Music Festival, Back Home Appalachian Arts & Music Festival and Smoky Run Music Festival following an unspecified medical emergency, according to the paper. That was followed by his former bandmates dedicating a set to him at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival with bassist Ben Kaufmann recounting onstage the tale of Austin forming the band. He left Yonder Mountain in 2014 to pursue a solo career.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of a beloved family member, mandolinist, singer, songwriter and founder of The Jeff Austin Band, and Yonder Mountain String Band, Jeff Austin. Austin passed away June 24, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Tweet 1 of 2) pic.twitter.com/SN9izRamck
— Jeffrey Austin (@Jeffreyaustin10) June 25, 2019
The set included guests Tim O’Brien, Chris Daniels, Paul Hoffman of Greensky Bluegrass, Dave Bruzza and Anders Beck, according to Jambase.com.
“We woke up today and the internet was on fire with rumors and speculation about our brother Jeff Austin,” Kaufmann reportedly said during the set. “And what we can say is that he is still with us. What is appropriate right now: if you’re a prayer, send prayers his way. If you’re a lover, send love his way. If you’re a healer, send energy his way. This is what we’re going to send his way.”
“Jeff Austin’s musical contribution to our community and his personal contribution to Colorado’s music community is gargantuan,” Don Strasburg, co-president and senior talent buyer at AEG Presents Rocky Mountains, told The Denver Post. “When you look through the social posts once his illness was announced, it was unbelievably common to see how many people were connected through his music and the music of Yonder Mountain String Band. It’s a tremendous loss for Colorado and the larger music community.”
