Dennis was one of a kind, both on and off the bandstand. As a friend said last night, "I was proud to know him, and privileged to work with him". My thoughts exactly! He always did what the best accompanists always do - when you played good, he made you sound great, and when you didn't sound good, he still made you sound great. All I can say is the world is a smaller, meaner place for not having Dennis in it. R.I.P. man. Mike Karn
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Dennis for the first time at one of my gigs (I play bass in a few groups with his son). I was a bit nervous but I'll never forget his laid-back manner and seemingly-endless reservoir of wisdom. RIP Dennis. You are sadly missed.
I made my New York debut as a singer with a band that featured Dennis,the late alto great, Chris Woods,trumpeter, Valerie Ponomerov, Ernie Hayes,piano and Phil Young, drums,in 1984, at Mount Vernon's Presbyterian jazz Society's Second Sunday jazz series.Dennis is one of the greatest bassists with whom I've ever worked.His rhythm, tone and musicality always make the sets swing and sore to new heights.We're here for you Dennis. Keep swinging, my friend.You're the Best!
It's wonderful to see the people personality behind the musician. What a pleasant and jovial man. I pray his up-beat spirit helps him fight the battle he is now up against.
I've long admired Dennis and his music for many years. He played the bass exactly how I heard it and felt it. Great time, sound and big beat! He was a drummers dream to play with! RIP Dennis! Mike Melito
I knew Dennis since 1979. Met him several times in Festivals around the world. Great musician and a beautiful cat. We miss you Dennis! (bass player from Portugal)
Great tribute to a wonderful Musician and a Beautiful Man.when I watch this I am reminded of the great chat we had in the Village Vanguard about the Goons. RIP Dennis you will be sadly missed
I'm so saddended by this. Dennis is such an idol to me. I remember eatting pizza outside of the Vanguard and being so star struck every time I saw him coming walking down &th avenue with his bass. He is the man.
Bret, thanks for doing this. What a loss! What an amazing person and musician. One of a kind. His humility, generosity of spirit and humor were just gifts to the scene. Great to see his Lord Buckley stuff. And as great a quarter note feel as I ever heard. Thank you Dennis.
I met Dennis in the late seventies. He played a few gigs with my late brother, Mark Perry, a jazz pianist who worked in New York around then. Very sorry to hear that he has passed away.
I was blessed by Dennis when he agreed to play bass with me (hackin at that vibes as I were) to open this silly little club named Visiones one day after Thanksgiving in 1986, he was always reciting Lord Buckley talkin or playin ball, but most of all spreading more love than the average human being, it's always a shame when the sweet souls move on too soon........... Gust Tsilis
Love him. Such an original with the feel of this walking bass line. I'm actually a trumpt player, but I remember doing a transcription of the trumpet solo from The Second Race off of the Definitive Thad Jones Volume 2 for jazz improv class in college and I couldn't do the transcription without writing out Dennis's four choruses of walking up front. The way he played, his lines became so much a part of the tune. The way he chopped up those walking lines is what helped me also become a bassist
Why do most jazz musicians churn the corn poetic when they try to tell a joke? I was introduced to Irwin's playing when I first started studying the form, he was the bass player on one of Sniderno's Jazz Conception Etude books. He made that rhythm section groove, mmm. Now I find out that he played in Mel Lewis' Big Band and behind Scott Hamilton, makes total sense. I would have loved to study with him. Bass is the Place, even for guitarists like me.
Why do most jazz musicians churn the corn poetic when they try to tell a joke. I was introduced to Irwin's playing when I first started studying the form, he was the bass player on one of Sniderno's Jazz Conception Etude books. He made that rhythm section groove, mmm. Now I find out that he played in Mel Lewis' Big Band and behind Scott Hamilton, makes total sense. I would have loved to study with him. Bass is the Place, even for guitarists like me.
Dennis was one of a kind, both on and off the bandstand. As a friend said last night, "I was proud to know him, and privileged to work with him". My thoughts exactly! He always did what the best accompanists always do - when you played good, he made you sound great, and when you didn't sound good, he still made you sound great. All I can say is the world is a smaller, meaner place for not having Dennis in it. R.I.P. man.
Mike Karn
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Dennis for the first time at one of my gigs (I play bass in a few groups with his son). I was a bit nervous but I'll never forget his laid-back manner and seemingly-endless reservoir of wisdom. RIP Dennis. You are sadly missed.
I made my New York debut as a singer with a band that featured Dennis,the late alto great, Chris Woods,trumpeter, Valerie Ponomerov, Ernie Hayes,piano and Phil Young, drums,in 1984, at Mount Vernon's Presbyterian jazz Society's Second Sunday jazz series.Dennis is one of the greatest bassists with whom I've ever worked.His rhythm, tone and musicality always make the sets swing and sore to new heights.We're here for you Dennis. Keep swinging, my friend.You're the Best!
It's wonderful to see the people personality behind the musician. What a pleasant and jovial man. I pray his up-beat spirit helps him fight the battle he is now up against.
I've long admired Dennis and his music for many years. He played the bass exactly how I heard it and felt it. Great time, sound and big beat! He was a drummers dream to play with! RIP Dennis!
Mike Melito
I knew Dennis since 1979. Met him several times in Festivals around the world. Great musician and a beautiful cat. We miss you Dennis!
(bass player from Portugal)
Dennis is a beautiful soul. One of the greatest musicians in the world!! Get Better soon!!
We will miss you Dennis.
...One of the biggest,darkest,
and grandest tones ever to walk the Earth.
Great tribute to a wonderful Musician and a Beautiful Man.when I watch this I am reminded of the great chat we had in the Village Vanguard about the Goons. RIP Dennis you will be sadly missed
Thanks for posting. Dennis was one of the greats and will be sorely missed. RIP Ski.
I'm so saddended by this. Dennis is such an idol to me. I remember eatting pizza outside of the Vanguard and being so star struck every time I saw him coming walking down &th avenue with his bass. He is the man.
Yes. Skee.
I got to play with Dennis once at UNT along with John Riley. It was a blast. I'll never forget that experience. We'll miss you forever, Dennis!
Well done Dennis!
J
Many, many thanks for posting this.
Bret, thanks for doing this. What a loss! What an amazing person and musician. One of a kind. His humility, generosity of spirit and humor were just gifts to the scene. Great to see his Lord Buckley stuff. And as great a quarter note feel as I ever heard. Thank you Dennis.
I met Dennis in the late seventies. He played a few gigs with my late brother, Mark Perry, a jazz pianist who worked in New York around then. Very sorry to hear that he has passed away.
'to swing or not to swing, that is the hangup'...indeed!
R.I.P......
I was blessed by Dennis when he agreed to play bass with me (hackin at that vibes as I were) to open this silly little club named Visiones one day after Thanksgiving in 1986, he was always reciting Lord Buckley talkin or playin ball, but most of all spreading more love than the average human being, it's always a shame when the sweet souls move on too soon...........
Gust Tsilis
Love him. Such an original with the feel of this walking bass line. I'm actually a trumpt player, but I remember doing a transcription of the trumpet solo from The Second Race off of the Definitive Thad Jones Volume 2 for jazz improv class in college and I couldn't do the transcription without writing out Dennis's four choruses of walking up front. The way he played, his lines became so much a part of the tune. The way he chopped up those walking lines is what helped me also become a bassist
I LOVE !!! Great musician !!! Amazing ... NICE ... COOL ....!!! I love His music !!!
so sad to me. Dennis was my friend in high school and also my crush.
god bless
wonderful guy, looks like
dennis checkout today in nyc.
he will be missed
Why do most jazz musicians churn the corn poetic when they try to tell a joke? I was introduced to Irwin's playing when I first started studying the form, he was the bass player on one of Sniderno's Jazz Conception Etude books. He made that rhythm section groove, mmm. Now I find out that he played in Mel Lewis' Big Band and behind Scott Hamilton, makes total sense. I would have loved to study with him. Bass is the Place, even for guitarists like me.
Why do most jazz musicians churn the corn poetic when they try to tell a joke. I was introduced to Irwin's playing when I first started studying the form, he was the bass player on one of Sniderno's Jazz Conception Etude books. He made that rhythm section groove, mmm. Now I find out that he played in Mel Lewis' Big Band and behind Scott Hamilton, makes total sense. I would have loved to study with him. Bass is the Place, even for guitarists like me.
I can see God scratching his head at 4am and saying "So tell me again who Lord Buckley is???"
See you soon Dennis.