Michael “Chicago Mike” Sumler, the beloved trombonist and founding member of Kool & The Gang, tragically lost his life at age 71 in a highway collision late Wednesday night.

Authorities in suburban Illinois report that Sumler’s vintage 1968 Cadillac Eldorado veered across the median on Interstate 55 near Joliet and was struck head-on by an oncoming semi-trailer truck.

Despite the swift response of emergency crews, Sumler was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation, with preliminary findings suggesting a possible tire blowout or sudden mechanical failure as contributing factors.

Eyewitnesses at the scene described a grisly aftermath: debris scattered across both lanes, smoke billowing from the wreckage, and frantic attempts by passing motorists to administer first aid.

Illinois State Police trooper Aaron Delgado, who arrived within minutes of the emergency call, noted that heavy rainfall at the time may have compromised visibility.

“The roadway was slick, and the Cadillac appeared to have lost control without any evasive maneuvers,” Delgado said. Traffic was diverted for several hours while reconstruction specialists documented the scene, and both vehicles were towed for further examination.

Paramedics pronounced Sumler dead upon arrival, unable to revive him despite performing advanced life support measures inside the crushed cockpit.

Joliet Area Community Hospital later confirmed there were no other fatalities, though the truck driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated for shock.

Toxicology tests and a full autopsy have been ordered by the Will County Coroner’s Office. Family members have requested privacy during this time, asking fans and media outlets to respect their grief.

Born in Chicago in late 1952, Michael Sumler grew up immersed in the city’s vibrant music scene, often sitting in on jam sessions with local jazz and R&B legends. He picked up the trombone at age 12 and, by his late teens, had already developed a reputation for soulful phrasing and improvisational flair.

After high school, Sumler enrolled at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, honing his classical technique before joining an ensemble that would soon evolve into Kool & The Gang, fronted by bassist Robert “Kool” Bell and keyboardist George Brown.

Sumler’s nickname, “Chicago Mike,” was coined both for his hometown roots and his gritty, horn-driven approach to funk—a sound that would become a signature of the band.

As Kool & The Gang transitioned from jazz-fusion instrumentals to chart-topping funk anthems in the mid-1970s, Sumler’s trombone soared alongside powerful brass sections, providing punchy riffs on tracks like “Jungle Boogie,” “Hollywood Swinging,” and “Get Down on It.” He also contributed backing vocals and co-wrote several album cuts, demonstrating a versatile talent that extended beyond his horn.

During the band’s commercial peak, Sumler toured the world repeatedly, playing sold-out arenas and pioneering stadium shows. He shared the Grammy stage with his bandmates in 1978 when Kool & The Gang were nominated for Best R&B Performance for “Jungle Boogie.”

In the early 1980s, he helped craft the timeless party classic “Celebration,” which topped charts globally and remains a fixture at weddings, sports arenas, and New Year’s Eve celebrations. His signature glissandos and staccato blasts became instantly recognizable to millions.

Offstage, colleagues recall Sumler’s easygoing humor and generous spirit. Fellow trombonist Vincent “Vince” Ferraro noted, “Mike was the guy who’d slip you a thirty-second horn solo just to make you grin. He lived for that moment when the crowd went wild.”

Robert “Kool” Bell, reflecting on decades of collaboration, said, “We lost a brother today. Mike wasn’t just a musician—he was the glue that kept our horn section tight and our hearts loose. He taught us about joy in performance.”

Family members released a joint statement expressing profound sorrow: “Our beloved Michael was a devoted husband, father, and friend. His music touched millions, but his love lifted countless souls closer to him.

We’re heartbroken by this sudden loss and ask for compassion as we plan his memorial.” Sumler leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Sandra, and two adult children, Alicia and Marcus, both of whom have followed their father into artistic and philanthropic endeavors in Chicago.

Social media erupted almost immediately after news broke, with fans and fellow artists posting photos of Sumler onstage, vintage concert tickets, and hashtags like #ChicagoMike and #HornLegend.

A revived interest in Kool & The Gang’s catalogue prompted streaming services to report a 300% spike in plays of “Celebration” and “Jungle Boogie.” Radio stations across the country interrupted regular programming to air tribute segments, and late-night talk shows dedicated monologues to his life and career.

In the broader music world, tributes poured in from luminaries who crossed paths with Sumler. Trombone virtuoso Wycliffe Gordon called him “one of the warmest, most soulful voices in horns,” while jazz legend Herbie Hancock tweeted, “Mike’s tone was unmatched—rich, playful, full of life.

We’ll miss hearing that laugh and that sound.” The Funk Foundation announced plans to establish a scholarship in Sumler’s name, aimed at supporting young brass players from underrepresented communities.

Arrangements for a public memorial are underway, with details expected to be announced by the Sumler family later this week. Sources indicate the service will take place at Chicago’s historic Auditorium Theatre, followed by a private interment at Oak Woods Cemetery. Kool &

The Gang has also hinted at organizing a benefit concert next spring, inviting members of the funk community to perform in Mike’s honor, with proceeds directed to arts education programs in Chicago.

As the world grapples with the sudden departure of a musician whose rhythms helped define a generation, the enduring power of Michael “Chicago Mike” Sumler’s work becomes ever clearer.

His brass lines were more than melodies—they were declarations of human spirit, unity, and celebration. Though he’s no longer behind the horn, his sound echoes in dance halls, radio waves, and the hearts of millions who felt the groove he created.

In his final public appearance just weeks ago, Sumler told a gathering of fans at a Chicago jazz club, “When you play from the heart, people feel it. I want you all to hug somebody today and remember to dance like no one’s watching.”

Now, with his untimely passing, his legacy invites us to do just that: to embrace, to celebrate, and to keep the music alive. As the funk world mourns one of its brightest stars, it also rediscovers the magic he left behind—a fitting tribute to a life lived in glorious, horn-filled crescendo.