Playing Our Parts: A Benefit for the Jazz Foundation of America (In Memory of Dennis Irwin)

Bassist Dennis Irwin became part of the lifeblood of New York City jazz from his arrival here in 1974, playing with Charles Brackeen, Ted Curson, Mel Lewis, Stan Getz and numerous others. Irwin's 2008 death from cancer, undiagnosed and untreated due to his lack of medical insurance, made his passing a rallying cry for better health coverage; now many of his friends and collaborators—including bandmates John Scofield and Joe Lovano, bass legend Ron Carter and plenty more—turn up to raise funds for the Jazz Foundation of America, which jumped in to help Irwin until his untimely passing, and has provided life-sustaining service to countless others.