All Ears, All The Time: Dennis Irwin, Bass

[pickinstone]

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.

[allthatjazz4you]

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!

[fatheadblues1]

I met Dennis in the mid 80's when I worked at Bradleys. You just knew he was a kind gentle soul, a king of cool, humorist. I would lock up and he and John Hicks, Kirk Lightsey, Clifford Jordan amoung many others would hang and jam. I was learning or attempting to learn the Blues Harmonica and they would let me sit in. Anytime you mention Dennis to anyone who met or knew him....there is a beat and a warm smile . R.I.P brother Dennis.

[ManSizedTuber]

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.

[freakshowXES]

god bless

wonderful guy, looks like

[ignaciomoran]

I met Dennis when I moved to NYC in '90. I had seen him perform w/Blakey at Keystone Korner in'79. He and I hungout quite a bit at Bradley's on Sundays when Dom Salvador, Portinho n the great Brasilian NY cats played there. He loved Brasilian music (and the tango) and he used to always bring his Ernesto Nazareth book of chorinho and tango music. He was immersed in it and thus the connection with our Brasilian friends in NYC. He was an encyclopedia of music. I will miss my good friend Dennis.

[kalulu52]

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)

[glom80]

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@wefuyhejwd

[booksteve]

what a beautiful tribute to Dennis Irwin. He is the right man to hold it down. I love that rap he did in the movie, that's from Lord Buckley. RIP Dennis.

[gabrieldrummer1]

Long live, Master Dennis Irwin!

Sorely missed, but never fogotten

[jazzand]

Bret,

Thanks so much for posting this. I just keep coming back to watch it over again. Like all of us who ever had the privilege to play with Dennis, I miss his playing and his humor and warmth. It's indeed a loss for us all that he had to leave so soon.

~ Rick Stone

[fodera6]

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.

[sbrownie]

'to swing or not to swing, that is the hangup'...indeed!

R.I.P......

[deangelico]

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

[alithea1]

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

[jazzand]

Hey Gust, I heard your vibes back then and they certainly weren't "hackin."

I also got to play with Dennis a number of times and he was such a great cat to be around (and funny as hell when he and Ralph Lalama went at it.)

Dennis still practiced clarinet and knew a lot about Tango as as well (he used to tell me cats to check out).

I've got some video from a concert we did with Barry Harris, Ralph Lalama and Leroy Williams. I'll try to edit and post it.

Dennis was THE cat. I miss him.

[nonblond97]

hey i am dennis'step niece once removed i am related to sweetmentaldesseray thanks for all the kind words and everything it means lots

[PeteCBass]

Thanks for posting. Dennis was one of the greats and will be sorely missed. RIP Ski.

[FlamingoReaper]

...Onto the next level, Dennis.

gsessum

[Teosax718]

Dennis, I still remember that weekend at Visiones. You on bass, Karriem Riggins on drums, and Mulgrew Miller on piano. Swingin' from the first beat!!! God Bless your soul and I'll see you later...

Teodross Avery

[n72mcvey]

R.I.P.

[richievitale]

Hey Ski . . .

I guess Billie Holiday needed a bassist! 

Much love!

[Bassphil]

I can see God scratching his head at 4am and saying "So tell me again who Lord Buckley is???"

See you soon Dennis.

[nrmlgrrl]

Well done Dennis!

J

[Cymbalgroove]

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

[miphka66]

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

[brewepau]

When my, son, Matt Brewer (bass), began his journey as a jazz musician, Dennis became one of his most supportive elders. Matt got a private lesson from Dennis one time. Dennis later told me that he had hard time accepting money from us because of Matt's already superb ability. Matt would never have accepted that. His one lesson with Dennis meant so much to him - more than I think Dennis ever knew. Thank you, Dennis, for inspiring my son and for encouraging him to live his dream.

Paul.

[guitarducky]

Genius inspires genius, Doc

[brewepau]

Thanks, young one.

[jongordonmusic]

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.

[barnabass]

We will miss you Dennis.

...One of the biggest,darkest,

and grandest tones ever to walk the Earth.

[crayon2323]

dennis checkout today in nyc.

he will be missed

[sweetmentaldisarray]

Hey. I'm Dennis's step daughter, once removed. His son Mike is my older brother.

Thank you guys so much for all of your kind words. Its so amazing to see how loved he is in the jazz community and I'm so glad that I'm lucky enough to be his family. I always thought Dennis and I have had a sort of unspoken connection, the kind that us kooky-creative people have. He is such a huge part of my family.

Pray for him and play for him. And once again, thank you.

-Mariana

[timometzemakers]

Many, many thanks for posting this.

[trane1959]

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

[trane1959]

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.

[ddaymedia]

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!

[Dove122]

very nice

[hankmobleyfan]

I was lucky enough to meet Dennis on two occasions and apart from being a beautiful guy and a great Musician he is also an extremely witty man. I pray he can find the strength to keep going at this very sad time in his li

[aselmerius]

Thank you for this statement. Good to have HankMobleyFans here!

[dorotwhy]

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.

[nicbirns]

A touching, invigorating tribute to a great musician

[ChangitoMalo]

Dennis is one of the nicest people on Planet Earth, and a wonderful musician.

[lilbits]

He's wonderful. I will pray for him.

[Cymbalgroove]

Dennis is a beautiful soul. One of the greatest musicians in the world!! Get Better soon!!