I was saddened to learn that a member of one of the most well-known and well-loved bands of my generation passed away Tuesday. LeRoi Moore, saxophonist for the Dave Matthews Band, died of complications from a June ATV accident. He was 46.

In thinking about Moore's death, I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that he was such an important part of a band that opened ears and minds to an expansive musical landscape for myself and many others.

My first introduction to Dave Matthews Band was back in 1994 when I saw the video for "What Would You Say" on MTV. I couldn't help but think I had just experienced something new and fresh by the end of the song's three-and-a-half minutes. And a key part of the Dave Matthews Band's sound was Moore's saxophone. It was punchy and graceful, stutter-stepping and faking the listener out with warmth, energy and funk. For many people of my generation, that was the first time their ears got a taste of jazz in mainstream music.

I know that my admiration and love of LeRoi Moore's sax playing was what caused me appreciate jazz and it's possibilities. It made me walk into an independent record store my freshman year of college and pick up a used Sonny Rollins album, blasting it out of my dorm room stereo into the halls while everyone else was busy bumping 2pac. LeRoi Moore was key to injecting improvisation into the DMB's sound, which is what makes each live show so unique. His instrument and technique added so much color and made them such a one-of-a-kind staple in popular music.

I hope that Dave Matthews Band continue to persevere. Even though Moore is one of the band's founding members, his loss isn't the equivalent of John Bohnam from Zeppelin or Jim Morrison from The Doors. The band could go on. But if they get a replacement, it won't be quite the same as seeing the familiar presence of Moore in the back, pitch black shades wrapped around his head, thin dreads pulled back, blaring those memorable notes and solos that would cause crowds to erupt with elation.

Dave Matthews Band has always made improvisation their forte. Unfortunately, this tragic circumstance will force them to wing it in a completely different way.