Thomas Sayers Obituary-Death News; Thomas Sayers Ellis, American Poet, Photographer and Bandleader Dies
The literary and artistic world is mourning the loss of Thomas Sayers Ellis, a dynamic and multi-talented poet, photographer, and bandleader, who passed away at the age of 61.
Born on October 5, 1963, in Washington, D.C., Thomas was a singular voice in American letters—passionate, bold, and uncompromising in his pursuit of truth and artistic integrity. His death marks the end of an era for many who knew him, learned from him, and were deeply inspired by his work.
Affectionately known as “Stix” to childhood friends and fellow musicians, Ellis grew up in the 7th and O Street NW neighborhood of Washington, D.C., and graduated from the city’s historic Dunbar High School. From an early age, he was a seeker—of knowledge, rhythm, language, and justice.
As many have recalled in recent days, he was never far from a backpack, a notebook, or a camera. He was always learning, always documenting, always creating. Ellis first gained national recognition as a poet of sharp insight and searing honesty.
His collections, including The Maverick Room and Skin, Inc., were celebrated for their inventive use of form and their fearless engagement with race, identity, and the African American experience.
His poetry was a blend of street wisdom, historical reflection, and lyrical intensity that stood out in contemporary American literature. Ellis was also a co-founder of The Dark Room Collective, a community of Black writers that gave rise to some of today’s most prominent literary voices.
His influence extended beyond poetry. A gifted educator, Thomas taught at institutions including Case Western Reserve University, Bennington College, and Sarah Lawrence College, where he challenged and uplifted generations of students with his unorthodox style and unwavering commitment to artistic truth.
He was not just a teacher of writing—he was a teacher of living consciously, critically, and courageously. In addition to his literary legacy, Ellis was a skilled photographer whose images captured both the vibrancy and vulnerability of his subjects.
His work behind the lens was celebrated for its honesty and intimacy. Whether capturing an overlooked corner of his hometown or the quiet soul of a street musician, his photos told stories that words could not.
Thomas was also a musician, a timbale player, and a founding member of the band Heroes Are Gang Leaders, an avant-garde literary jazz collective that blurred the boundaries between poetry and performance.
He brought the same intensity and vision to music that he did to his written work. As a former timbale player for the Petworth Band, his D.C. roots ran deep—his rhythm echoed the streets that raised him, and his beats resonated with the city’s cultural heartbeat.
Tributes have poured in since news of his death. One childhood friend recalled, “One thing you knew about Stix was that he was always hungry for knowledge.” Another wrote, “He was the definition of a Renaissance man… Was he different? Absolutely, and that’s what made him authentic, well liked, and admired.”
Thomas Sayers Ellis was never interested in being conventional. He was interested in being true—to himself, to his people, and to the art that gave his life meaning. His passing leaves a profound void in the worlds of poetry, photography, music, and education.
He is survived by extended family, friends, collaborators, former students, and a global community of admirers who continue to be shaped by his words, his images, and his spirit.
Rest in power, Thomas Sayers Ellis. May your rhythm echo on, and your voice never fade.
