Irwin, Dennis (Wayne)
Irwin, Dennis (Wayne)
Irwin, Dennis (Wayne), jazz bassist; b. Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 28, 1951. His family is very musical, with one brother, David, a professional clarinetist. Irwin also played clarinet through his teens, but switched to bass at age 19 while attending North Tex. State Univ. (1969-74). After working with Red Garland from 1973-74, he relocated to N.Y., where he worked with various leaders through the mid-1970s. From 1977-80, he was a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers; while a member of the group, he supplied them with several compositions, including “Kamal.” He has since worked with various leaders, often at the same time, including a long stay with Mel Lewis (1981-90) and John Scofield (from 1991).
—Lewis Porter
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Irwin, Dennis (Wayne)