Memphis musician Blake Rhea killed in shooting after ‘verbal altercation,’ Memphis police say

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

Memphis musician Blake Rhea, who played bass for the Grammy-nominated soul blues group Southern Avenue, was shot and killed early Wednesday morning.

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

“The victim and suspect were involved in a verbal altercation prior to the shooting,” the police release said.

Late Wednesday, Memphis police confirmed that Rhea was the victim and noted that the investigation was ongoing.

Suspect arrested: Man charged in fatal shooting of Memphis musician Blake Rhea

The Memphis Police Department did that arrested and charged 51 year old Edward Wurl with first-degree murder in the shooting, according to documents on the Shelby County Criminal Justice portal.

In addition to touring with Southern Avenue – including performances as part of last summer’s Outlaw Music tour with Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp – Blake Rhea has been a fixture on 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 Memphis University School, where he first took up bass, and attended Rhodes College, where he studied music.

Rhea co-founded 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, with Elliott Ives, Justin Timberlake’s longtime guitarist.

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

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

Southern Avenue singer Tierinii Naftaly wrote that Rhea was a “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 posted a memory of Rhea on Facebook. “I just heard that my friend and amazing Memphis bassist Blake Rhea passed away,” she wrote. “He played with me and many other great bands at home and abroad and was a true master of his craft. May his soul find peace and I send my deepest condolences and comfort to his family and friends.”

Drummer Danny Banks, who played with Rhea as part of Németh’s backing band, wrote: “I’m numb. I can’t believe you’re gone. I just saw you last night… We had some 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 will happen.”

Memphis police are asking anyone with information about Rhea’s death to call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-2274.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Blake Rhea killed in Memphis shooting: Here’s what we know