Hey, folks. I have a fully-carved Romanian flatback 3/4 size bass in need of repairs. Proceeds from the sale are going directly to the fund to aid Dennis Irwin in his time of need. Dennis and I were contemporaries many years ago on the NYC jazz scene, and as many of you know he is battling cancer and has no health insurance.

I will hand the bass over to the person who bids the highest over $500; check made out to the fund. I will consider shipping it.

A TB member had previously committed to this but just today went back on his word. I'm disappointed, and I'm anxious to get this done. I have pics but I'm a computer moron, so I can't post them here.

Please help.

I am interested in the Bass but $500 would be my limit.

If someone else could donate more to a worthy cause then I would be happy they took the bass.

MingusAmongUs will be posting pics for this. FYI: neck loose, button broken, top crack, back crossbars need work, back seams open, needs set-up, etc. These are all repairable and would be a good project for somebody with woodworking skills. I'll be happy to give some free advice.

I'd like to see what offers come in in the next couple days. If nobody tops $500 it goes to the first person who expressed interest and still wants it.

Thanks, folks...

Nicely done, Arnold.

Nicely done, Arnold.

+1! Bass or not let's all do whatever we can. I am battling the big C myself and even with good ins. it's expensive as hell. Arnold, let us know how and where we can donate to Mr. Irwin. Also, if not too personal, please PM me with details about his situation. (Maybe if our treatment is similar, I can share some tips for combating side effects etc.)

This is the address the from the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra for the
Dennis Irwin Wellness Fund:

Sixteen As One Music, Inc
888-C Eighth Ave #160
New York, NY 10019

Make the check out to Sixteen As One Music and write Dennis
Irwin on the memo line.

Here are the pictures.
Thanks, Arnold. It's a great thing you're doing.
I'm sure someone else has considered this, but just in case, if anyone is in touch with Mr. Irwin, and also to you, ZachDad, Chinese medicine may be another avenue to explore, if expenses prevent "standard" treatment, or if that route doesn't yield positive results.

http://bustamelon.com/images/bass-for-dennis/for-dennis-irwin-001.jpg
http://bustamelon.com/images/bass-for-dennis/for-dennis-irwin-002.jpg
http://bustamelon.com/images/bass-for-dennis/for-dennis-irwin-003.jpg
http://bustamelon.com/images/bass-for-dennis/for-dennis-irwin-004.jpg
http://bustamelon.com/images/bass-for-dennis/for-dennis-irwin-005.jpg
http://bustamelon.com/images/bass-for-dennis/for-dennis-irwin-006.jpg

I used to have a bass just like that one and I liked it quite a bit. Sounded good, stable through the seasons, no complaints other than some particularly "crunchy" varnish that looked pretty bad. This'll make somebody a good instrument, and a nice project, too. I'd take it on if I had the spare $$$ :scowl:

I spent some time with Dennis a few weeks ago, helping his son (and my good friend) Mike make raw foods and green juice for him. He's on a very strict diet, and was in good spirits, all things considered. I hadn't seen him in years, and while the circumstances aren't the best, it was still very nice to catch up with him and share our stories about injuries/sickness (head injury in my case). We're all praying for you, Dennis!

Arnold, have you contacted the VJO about your project?

Great thing you're doing, Arnold. Thank you.

Wow. I had no idea Dennis was sick. He and I we in school together at North Texas. Is there a place I can get more info?

Win Hinkle
bighinx@gmail.com

Wow. I had no idea Dennis was sick. He and I we in school together at North Texas. Is there a place I can get more info?

Take a look Here (http://www.DennisIrwin.org/).

Arnold, this is really cool of you to do this. I am very close with Dennis' son and we play in a few groups together. He gives me updates whenever I see him.

For now it seems, Dennis' condition is stable. He started his chemotherapy a month or so ago and he's starting his radiotherapy sessions soon. I wasn't aware that he didn't have insurance though.

Again, really nice of you to do this for him!

Hey, folks, I appreciate the kind words you guys are tossing my way. But I want you to know that this bass was given to me by a client who decided against fixing it up. Then the thought occured to me that something good (other than just profit) could come of this thing, and I've been looking for a way to help Dennis out in his trying time. So...

I think we'll let this carry on until Tuesday night (2/26/08) and see what kind of offers come in. I have a maybe offer of $600 so far. I think this is about a $3500-4000 bass fixed up, so somebody out there who wants to gain some experience with bass repair could have a nice project and maybe make a little money in the process.

Again, thanks to everybody for their words of encouragement and good thoughts for Dennis. And thanks to Dr. Paul Schefflein for donating the bass.

Im enterested.PM sent and bump for a good cause.

Three TB'ers have expressed interest at $600. Do I hear $601?

I am bumping up my original offer in a PM.

Sitting with an offer of $625...

Go Baby, Go!

I fully support this effort. Very noble indeed.

I wish you much luck and success.

wow, great arnold. What a good cause.

Hey, folks. I have a fully-carved Romanian flatback 3/4 size bass in need of repairs. Proceeds from the sale are going directly to the fund to aid Dennis Irwin in his time of need. Dennis and I were contemporaries many years ago on the NYC jazz scene, and as many of you know he is battling cancer and has no health insurance.

I will hand the bass over to the first person who writes a $500 check to the fund. Of course, a larger amount would be ok too. I will consider shipping it.

A TB member had previously committed to this but just today went back on his word. I'm disappointed, and I'm anxious to get this done. I have pics but I'm a computer moron, so I can't post them here.

Please help.


Guys, this is flat out an awesome gesture.
Someone please PM me with a PayPal or other means of payment.
I cannot afford to come up with the amount asked (now above $600) but I would like to help out anyway.

I had the same thing happen FOR me on the electric side of TB. (if you don't get over there much, do a search on my name, I think it still comes up)

But according to the rules that were put in place because of what was done for me, that really, this kind of thread isn't allowed by TB rules (which I will honor the rules, but strongly disagree with).

So please be careful in this. I for one would hate to see it ruined.
It's amazing to watch this kind of thing go on and happen. One more way to show that there really are good, grounded, understanding people in the world that know when it is time to step up.
And this is another shining example.

God Bless,
Mike

Guys, this is flat out an awesome gesture.
Someone please PM me with a PayPal or other means of payment.

Whether it's allowed here or not, you can contribute here (http://www.dennisirwin.org/). Or via snail mail to the address in one of the first few posts in this thread. Thanks!

Whether it's allowed here or not, you can contribute here (http://www.dennisirwin.org/). Or via snail mail to the address in one of the first few posts in this thread. Thanks!

Got it.
Thanks!!!

As per Paul's suggestion, moved to the Classified section and reopened. :)

This is a great deal on what could be a serviceable bass; unfortunate politics aside, go for it! I'd buy in a second if I had the $$$. I had a bass just like this and it was great aside from some crunchy varnish. Good deal!

ctregan in the lead at $650. Please PM me here with any other offers. Closing this out today at 8PM. Thanks folks, and thanks Paul for bending the rules a little. :)

tyb507 with a bid of $675. Going once...

tyb507 is the winner! Please contact me to arrange pickup.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement.

Let's all think a good thought for our colleague Dennis.

I hardly qualify as a colleague, but I admire Dennis and his music. Tonight, I made a contriution to the fund, and I tip my hat to Arnold, tyb507 and all the great folks on this board who made this happen.

Peace (and plywood!)
Wineaux

Arnold, thanks so much for doing this. Dennis is one of my greatest influences and teachers. He's the one who really put me on my feet when I first started school. Those 3 years I spent studying with him and going to see the VJO almost every Monday still keep me going today, and I don't see this stopping any time soon! We're all praying for you, Ski!!

this relates:

Playing Our Parts: A Concert to Benefit Dennis Irwin
Mon, Mar 10, 7:30pm
The Allen Room
Joe Lovano and John Scofield team up with Jazz at Lincoln Center and Wynton Marsalis to bring together incredible performers in a benefit concert for beloved bassist Dennis Irwin.

Mose Allison, Tony Bennett, David Berger and the Sultans of Swing, Ron Carter, Bill Charlap, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Frisell, Jim Hall, Jon Hendricks, Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis, Paul Motian, John Patitucci and John Scofield are donating their services and Jazz at Lincoln Center is donating its venue and staff to raise much-needed funds for Irwin through The Jazz Foundation of America. We invite the jazz community and music fans to come together in support of Dennis Irwin, who is in need of immediate financial support for medical treatment and expenses as he battles a serious illness.