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Blaise's obituary

Blaise Barton, 60, passed away on June 12, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois, after an 18-month battle with Glioblastoma. He faced his illness with grace and dignity, embodying the same strength and spirit that defined his life.

Born on September 25, 1964 in Chicago, Blaise remained deeply connected to the city and its vibrant music and culture throughout his life. His passion for sound and innovation led him to a remarkable award-winning career as a recording engineer. Over the years, Blaise founded two recording studios that became creative havens for musicians seeking excellence and authenticity, where he recorded and engineered countless albums with both major and local artists, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry. His talent and dedication were recognized with two Grammy Awards and four nominations, testaments to his extraordinary ear, technical mastery, and knack for producing.

Music was not just Blaise’s profession—it was his lifelong love. Whether he was listening to records, playing the keys with finesse, or fine-tuning a mix in the studio, he immersed himself fully in sound and served as EARS (Engineering And Recording Society of Chicago) president. His musical intuition was matched only by his joy in sharing it with others.

Beyond his work behind the console, Blaise’s curiosity extended far beyond music. He had a deep fascination with robotics and tinkering—always exploring how things worked and how they could be improved. But perhaps nothing delighted him more than rockets. Launching them into the sky brought him pure happiness, and he continued working on them until the very end.

Those who knew Blaise will remember him as someone who could bring any room to life. His boundless enthusiasm, joy and love radiated outward, touching everyone fortunate enough to share time with him.

He is survived by his beloved wife Teresa Hayes; daughters Violet and Lily; father Wayne Barton and stepmother Marlies; siblings Teak Barton, Cleve Barton (Nami), and Heidi Auriemma (Michael); as well as his niece and nephews Carter, Hailey, Kyuzo, and Yugen; and countless in-laws, cousins, and great friends who loved him dearly.  He was preceded in death by his mother Drew Jones.

A celebration of Blaise’s life will be held at a later date.

May his memory continue to inspire joy, creativity, and music in all who knew him. 

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I’m heartbroken to hear of Blaise’s passing. I worked with him at ACME in the late 80’s-early 90’s and learned a great …
I’m heartbroken to hear of Blaise’s passing. I worked with him at ACME in the late 80’s-early 90’s …
I’m heartbroken to hear of Blaise’s passing. I worked with him a…

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Blaise Barton