PHOTO VIA BLUE BAMBOO CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Chris Cortez, the founder of Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts (Website) and a force in Orlando’s music and arts community, passed away on Sunday, December 21, the Winter Solstice, according to a statement posted by Blue Bamboo on Facebook, surrounded by his wife, Melody, and family. He was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer in October, and the organization said the tumor was inoperable and that chemotherapy and radiation were not expected to extend his time.
Blue Bamboo said Cortez and Melody traveled to California following his diagnosis so he could spend his remaining time with his sister, Katherine, and her family. He died at 6:18 a.m. Pacific time.
Cortez was widely known in Orlando as the founder and driving vision behind Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, which has become a key home for jazz, live music, education, and community-focused arts programming.
In its statement, Blue Bamboo noted that Cortez donated his body to science and education, reflecting what the organization described as his lifelong dedication to sharing knowledge and teaching others. The organization called him a visionary and said his work, vision, and dreams will remain part of his legacy in Orlando.
Blue Bamboo said additional information will be shared soon regarding how volunteers and the Board of Directors plan to honor Cortez’s legacy and continue the work he started.
Cortez stepped down from his leadership role at the organization on October 30.
