A spokesperson for Jamiroquai in London has confirmed that bassist Stuart Zender tendered his resignation last week to spend more time with his budding family. Zender's girlfriend, All Saints singer Melanie Blatt, is expecting the couple's first child in November.

Publicist Dave Woolf issued a statement that confirmed a report first published in the "London Sun" and wished Zender and his new family well for the future. The statement said that the bassist's future plans weren't known, but other sources have said that Zender is looking to record a solo album.

Zender, 23, joined the group when he was fresh out of school in 1993. He's contributed to the group's songwriting, although he hasn't had a hand in the band's better known hits.

He met Ms. Blatt, 22, earlier this year at a film premiere. Within three months, Blatt was pregnant and the couple were engaged. They recently told "OK" magazine in a lengthy and saccharine-laden interview that while their respective music

careers were important, nothing mattered more to them than their baby. Zender complained that he'd be on the road for two years following the child's birth. Blatt denied that she'd be leaving All Saint's, although she did say that her pregnancy had caused a rift with the band, in particular Shaznay Lewis.

They told the magazine that the baby was a girl and would be named Lilyella after the flower and Ella Fitzgerald. She was due to be delivered by Caesarean section on November 27.

Most recently Zender's been logging time in the studio -- which is housed in singer Jay Kay's country manor -- recording the band's as yet untitled third album scheduled for release this spring.

The spokesperson declined to comment on replacing Zender other than to say the band is continuing to record without him.