Editor's note: Paul Logan, a long-time Santa Cruz resident and veteran musician, was shocked by the death of local notable James Baum.  He spoke with members of the music community who shared memories of Baum's life and how the loss will effect the Santa Cruz music scene.

Violence visited our beach side town last weekend: Murders, drugs, gangs, and bodies found in ravines. Sometimes it seems like we're coming apart at the seams. In times like these, we circle the wagons, and can be drawn together into isolated groups for comfort. 

The feelings we are left with are complex and illusive. We suffer the pain and loss of the one close to us now gone, and the confusion around the events that lead up to that fateful moment haunts us.

These were some of the strong emotions members of the music community shared following the shocking death of drummer James "Jimmy" Baum, who was shot during an argument in front of his house by his estranged ex-wife in a murder-suicide on Sept. 23.

I set out to produce the video tribute that accompanies this article. What I found was a shattered family of friends, shaken to the core by the sudden violent loss of one of their own. A circle of musicians that had worked together for more than 30 years — a generation of players whose priority were musicianship and community.

Local guitarist Gil Cadilli planned to hire Jimmy as his regular drummer in the Gill Cadilli Trio. 

"There's a hole in the city," said Gil. "You can physically see the hole. It's an immense loss."

High school friend and bassist Bill Bosh, who has lived in Santa Cruz since the 1970s, was part of a wave of players that migrated from San Luis Obispo to be part of the growing music scene here.

"Jimmy was inspirational and enthusiastic," he said.

When asked what effect he thought this would have on the local scene he said, "It reminded people how precious these relationships are." 

The Baums were a high profile couple in town. Jimmy was a first choice musician, and Gayle was prominent in politics. 

Stan Poplin, a UC Santa Cruz music instructor, knew the couple for decades. His shock was palpable.

"That was not the Gayle I know," he said, "Jimmy will be missed. His influence will be felt for a very long time."

Fellow drummer Dave Tucker, on the road with Maria Muldaur, offered a bittersweet consolation.  "Heaven just got a little funkier," he said in a phone interview from Londonderry, N.H.