James Chance, No Wave pioneer, singer and saxophonist, dies at 71

James Chance, known for his important contribution to the founding of the No Wave movement, has died at the age of 71.

Billboard reported on Wednesday, June 19, that his brother David Siegfried confirmed the death of the singer and saxophonist of the Contortions and Teenage Jesus and the Jerks on Tuesday, June 18.

“His death was announced by his brother David Siegfried of Chicago, who did not give an exact cause of death but noted that the musician’s health had been declining for several years,” said a lengthy post on the late icon’s Facebook page.

“His last live performance is said to have taken place in Utrecht, Netherlands in March 2019,” the social media post states.

In addition, the punk-funk artist died at the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center in New York.

In 1976, Chance formed the band Teenage Jesus and the Jerks with singer Lydia Lunch. The following year, after training with saxophonist David Murray, he formed the first version of the Contortions.

The group released their debut album, Buyin 1979 and disbanded later that same year.

However, in 2003, Chance reunited with some band members for a series of performances, including “All Tomorrow’s Parties” in Los Angeles.

In the following years he continued to tour with the group and also performed with the Chicago band Watchers.

Chance is survived by his mother Jean Siegfried, his brother David Siegfried, and his sisters Jill Siegfried and Mary (Randy) Koehler.