Two months after stepping down as head of the Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts — the musicians’ haven he founded and passionately nurtured — Chris Cortez has died. He was 69.

Jeff Flowers, the current leader of Blue Bamboo, announced Cortez’s passing on Tuesday afternoon in a message to supporters of the Winter Park concert venue that Cortez and his wife, Melody, had championed the past decade.

“Chris passed on Sunday, 12/21/2025, at 6:18 a.m. Pacific time,” Flowers wrote. “He was surrounded by Melody, his family and love.”

Cortez announced he was departing the organization in October, after he was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer.

“It was not operable, and chemotherapy/radiation was not going to buy him any more time,” Flowers said.

The Cortezes then relocated to California to live with Chris’s sister Katherine and her family during his final weeks.

On social media, friends and colleagues remembered his musicianship, his dedication and his passion.

“Chris made an incredible impact on the lives and hearts of thousands with his vision for the Blue Bamboo,” wrote xylophonist Heather Thorn, a frequent performer at the Blue Bamboo with her band, Vivacity. “He and Melody gave musicians from near and far a home to grow and build and dream in. So much music exists and so much joy has been experienced thanks to their vision and investment in our community. Chris lives on in the music he created and that he made possible.”

Chris Cortez, owner of Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, on March 13, 2020. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Born in Houston, Cortez founded his Blue Bamboo Music label while living in New Orleans in 1996. The idea behind the label was to create a “musician’s cooperative” for independent artists who sought international distribution for their music without a conventional recording contract.

“Cortez is an artist who wants to control his own artistic vision and to offer the same opportunity to other exceptional musicians,” wrote his allmusic.com biographer Eleanor Ditzel.

His first CD, “Territorial Imperative,” was released in the U.S. and Europe. His follow-up album showed off his versatility as he played acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards, percussion and bass.

Among his many hats besides musician: Composer, vocalist, bandleader, arranger, producer, engineer, label head, entrepreneur and community leader. After being named one of Central Florida’s most influential people by Winter Park Magazine, he told the publication that his philosophy for achieving so much was: “Start with it’s possible and the rest is logistics.”

Musicians Chris Cortez, a vocalist, guitarist and composer, left, and Larry Williams, a trumpeter, guitarist and composer, are pictured in the 1980s when they first formed a band together. (Courtesy Chris Cortez)

In 2016, the Cortezes opened the original Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts in a warehouse space on Kentucky Avenue in Winter Park. That space closed in 2023 after a new landlord dramatically raised the rent. There were twists and turns in finding a new venue, but a deal with the city of Winter Park saw the Blue Bamboo reopen in June in the former Winter Park Library building.

During the June opening of that space, Cortez spoke about how close the relationship was between the Blue Bamboo’s musicians and fans.

“It was so great to welcome all of those wonderful friends back to see shows again,” he said. “That’s our family. Those people all got us here.”

Through the ups and downs of finding the Blue Bamboo a home, Cortez remained steadfast in his belief that music is vital for the health of a community.

Musicians Larry Williams, a trumpeter, guitarist and composer, left, and Chris Cortez, a vocalist, guitarist and composer, are joining forces for concerts and an album at Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts in Winter Park on April 6, 2021. (Orlando Sentinel file)

“We’re here because we’re doing something that we feel is really important,” he said at the grand opening, “and we care about a lot.”

Musicians and supporters observed that the music played at Blue Bamboo ensures Cortez’s legacy of contributing to the culture of Central Florida will endure.

“In Chris’ honor, the show must go on…,” Flowers said.

“I’m so saddened to hear of Chris’s passing,” said Vicki Landon, administrator of Orange County’s Arts & Cultural Affairs office. “His farewell concert nearly burst the Blue Bamboo at the seams; there was such an outpouring of community support for him. His passing is a terrible loss, but I know his legacy will be upheld by the artists here in our community.”

Chris Cortez, founder of Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, prepares for the buildout of the former Winter Park library, seen after the completion of the demolition phase on April 24, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Flowers said Cortez’s generous spirit continued even in death.

“Chris has donated his body to science and education,” he wrote. “Always sharing and teaching.”

A public celebration of Cortez’s life will be planned, Flowers said, adding that the community would carry on Cortez’s vision.

“He got us started,” he said. “Now it’s up to us.”

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https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/12/24/blue-bamboo-founder-chris-cortez-dies-at-69/