This story has been updated with more information from the Memphis Police Department.

Memphis musician Blake Rhea, who played bass in the Grammy-nominated soul blues band Southern Avenue among other local artists, was shot and killed early Wednesday morning.

The Memphis Police Department said officers responded to the shooting at 322 S. Cleveland at 1:13 a.m. MPD reported on X, formerly known as Twitter, that a male was pronounced dead at the scene and a male suspect fled on foot.

“The victim and the suspect were involved in a verbal altercation prior to the shooting,” the police department’s post said. The statement was included.

Late Wednesday, the Memphis Police Department confirmed the victim was Rhea and noted the investigation was ongoing.

The suspect was arrested: Man charged with shooting death of Memphis musician Blake Rhea

There are Memphis police Edward Wurl, 51, was arrested and charged The shooting resulted in first-degree murder, according to documents on the Shelby County Criminal Justice portal.

In addition to touring Southern Avenue this past summer, including performing with Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp as part of their Outlaw Music tour, Blake Rhea has been a stalwart of the Memphis scene since the ’90s, playing with bluesman John Németh. hip-hop group Lord T & Eloise, soul-jazz combo The Gamble Brothers Band and roots singer Marcella Simien, among others.

Rhea graduated from the University of Memphis School, where she first started playing bass, and went on to Rhodes College, where she studied music.

Rhea was the co-founder of CYC, an eclectic Bluff City band that blended hip-hop, rock and jazz. In 2013, he joined the rock band American Fiction, which recorded an album with Jimi Hendrix producer Eddie Kramer. Rhea was also part of the band Rabid Villain, which also featured Justin Timberlake’s longtime guitarist Elliott Ives.

In addition to her work on stage and in the studio, Rhea was an instructor teaching music at the School of Rock in Germantown.

On Wednesday afternoon, members of Memphis’ tight-knit music community began posting about Rhea on social media.

Southern Avenue singer Tierinii Naftaly wrote that Rhea was “a light that will never be forgotten… My heart breaks for you and your family.”

‘A light that will never be forgotten’: Tribute to slain Memphis musician Blake Rhea

Soul musician Hope Clayburn shared Rhea’s memory on Facebook. “Just heard that my friend and amazing Memphis bassist Blake Rhea has passed away,” he wrote. “He played with me and many great bands here and abroad and was a true master of his craft. May his soul rest and find peace. “I extend my deepest condolences and condolences to his family and friends.”

Drummer Danny Banks, who played with Rhea as part of Németh’s backing band, wrote: “I’m in tune. I can’t believe you’re gone. I saw you last night… We had fun times together on the road and in Memphis…I love you Blake Rhea. I love you with all my heart. I can’t believe I have to write this. “Keep your loved ones close because you never know what’s going to happen.”

The Memphis Police Department asks anyone with information about Rhea’s death to call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-2274.

This article was first published in the Memphis Business Appeal: Blake Rhea killed in Memphis shooting: Here’s what we know