RIP Dave Carpenter

Dan Robbins · #1 06-25-2008, 01:10 AM

I heard he passed away today. I absolutely love his playing and his sound; such a nice guy too. I know a lot of cats that miss him greatly already. I don't know any details really but I heard it was a heart attack. I think he was 50. I thought you all should know; maybe if you have a Dave Carpenter story you can share it. Rest in peace, bass brother!!!

Brad Maestas · #2 06-25-2008, 02:14 AM

Wow, really? I had no idea. I can't find anything about it online. I was just listening to him play DB on a record with Gary Husband and I'm an even bigger fan of his electric work with Holdsworth.
Say it ain't so! RIP brother.

Thunderthumbs73 · #3 06-25-2008, 02:32 AM

Oh wow! I am so saddenned. His work with Peter Erskine (drums) and Alan Pasqua (piano) was so great, you just have to hear it if you like piano jazz trios. Sigh...

First Tim Russert. Then George Carlin. Now this...

Sigh...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LWlH52MHeA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWRJx4Il7LU

I don't have any stories, per se, but I came to enjoy Dave through Peter Erskine (I'm also a drummer) and I felt his work with Erskine and Pasqua was on par with Jarrett/DeJohnette/Peacock and other well-regarded piano jazz trios. It's a shame the Erskine/Pasqua/Carpenter trio was not as well-known. Perhaps in time, it will be.

Check out the album: "Live at Rocco"

Eric Hochberg · #4 06-25-2008, 05:53 AM

Really sad... I heard him a few times, with Alan and Peter (my college buds) and with Peter and Bob Sheppard. A great player on double bass and really inventive and complete on 6 string bass guitar, covered a lot of ground harmonically.

Add to his musical talents his warmth and sense of humor and that makes for a great loss.

**Pacman** · #5 06-25-2008, 06:05 AM

Oh my god - he was the first bassist I ever saw that just blew me away. I saw him with Maynard when I was in the 7th or 8th grade - even got him to autograph my t-shirt. Great player - so sad.

stretchcat · #6 06-25-2008, 06:38 AM

I'm really shocked and saddened to hear this.

http://www.petererskine.com/whatsnew.htm

Dan Robbins · #7 06-25-2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderthumbs73

Oh wow! I am so saddenned. His work with Peter Erskine (drums) and Alan Pasqua (piano) was so great, you just have to hear it if you like piano jazz trios. Sigh...

First Tim Russert. Then George Carlin. Now this...

Sigh...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LWlH52MHeA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWRJx4Il7LU

I don't have any stories, per se, but I came to enjoy Dave through Peter Erskine (I'm also a drummer) and I felt his work with Erskine and Pasqua was on par with Jarrett/DeJohnette/Peacock and other well-regarded piano jazz trios. It's a shame the Erskine/Pasqua/Carpenter trio was not as well-known. Perhaps in time, it will be.

Check out the album: "Live at Rocco"

Yeah, that trio is totally on par with Keith Jarrett's for pure musicality. They never played a note out of place, just a collective sound that was always grooving and flowing; not overstated or ego driven.
Dennis Irwin (cancer), NHOP (heart attack), Dave Carpenter...all in their fifties and playing amazing until the day they pass, dying too young. Makes we want to exercise more and eat my oatmeal, fruits and veggies...
Long live their incredible music.

Andy Allen · #8 06-26-2008, 01:02 AM

I'm devastated - he was such a great player and person. I last saw him a month ago at the Jazz Bakery with Erskine/Pasqua - I was riveted to my seat all night...

He was a very loved and respected player here in L.A. - a local guy made (very) good. I tried to catch him live any time my schedule would allow, and chatted to him when I could. He would always take time to chat, even though I'm just another hack in comparison to his playing. He was cool and modest, but his love for the music shone though.

A little story:

Over a year ago, after a gig at Charlie O's here in Sherman Oaks, I asked him if he was teaching presently and had time for another student. He said, "I would, but I'm going on tour with Herbie Hancock tomorrow." Well, I guess that was a pretty good reason; although why he couldn't postpone Herbie to teach me I don't know...

He also said to catch him when he got back, but I never got around to it -

Another one:

A different night at Charlie O's - Dave is playing with clarinetist Mort Weiss and I was sitting in the front row and threw out a request for "Groovin' High." Mort says he hasn't played it in forever and isn't sure of the head, but Dave says, "I'll take it." They proceed to play a burning version with a blistering head and solo from Dave as if it were nothing. I don't think I ever saw anything faze him, he was always right there with the music.

Really, I don't think I saw him often enough at all - I'm gonna miss his inspiration - I'm listening to "Standards" and drowning my sorrows right now.

Andy

jgbass · #9 06-26-2008, 10:42 AM

Well, that's strange.

I checked everywhere I could. Jazz news, All Jazz.com, been listening to the local LA jazz radio this morning. Have not seen or heard anything.

What was the source of this information?

Andy Allen · #10 06-26-2008, 10:55 AM

News here: http://www.lajazz.com/

And a note on Peter Erskine's site: http://petererskine.com/whatsnewindex.htm

Andy

jgbass · #11 06-26-2008, 11:21 AM

Thanks Andy,

I did not even think of going to LAJazz for news, even though I go there to look at events. Kind of a newbie in this area. Now I know.

Oh, this is just too bad. I am so sad about this. Only 48.

rfeves · #12 06-26-2008, 12:40 PM

Definitely a cool guy.
Probably the most important bass player in Los Angeles.
One of the greatest doublers of all time.
I guess that would explain how he could have so much attitude and personality and still be so sweet. He took a lot of time to help out the younger guys coming up and I'm sure we'll be hearing the inpact he had on so many of them for years to come. It was an honor knowing him and a real pleasure to see him play. I will miss him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgU5qZi2TOs

bottomend! · #13 06-29-2008, 04:44 AM

unbelieveable. Truly saddened and shocked. I can remember seeing him on his Foreda 6 string and just BURNING it up.

bottomend! · #14 06-29-2008, 05:00 AM

Living and playing bass in LA, for those of you who dont know about him.... DC was a GIANT. A true master and a maestro without peer.

msw · #15 06-30-2008, 04:36 PM

I met Dave in the mid eighties when I had friends on Buddy Rich's band. From the first time I heard him I was astonished. The guys were telling me that they had just played Dayton Ohio (near Dave's home) and that he had played upright on some of the tunes. Buddy and the entire band were blown away. They had no idea what a great doubler he was.
I was speaking to an alto player from that time and he said the story about Dave that stood out in his mind was that once when the band was setting up, Dave began to play along with the house music. The music was Chick Corea's Three Quartets and Dave was playing perfectly note-for-note, nuance-for- nuance with Brecker's solo. Someone asked Dave when he learned the solo and he said "never....... I've just heard it a lot"

Andy Allen · #16 07-18-2008, 08:51 PM

On Sunday afternoon August 17th at 2.00pm the Jazz Bakery is hosting a tribute to Dave:-

"2 PM matinee Aug 17: Tribute to Dave Carpenter w/ Peter Erskine, Bob Sheppard & a Host of Musical Friends Free to All!"

There's bound to be some great music, and it's a fine venue for this. I'll be showing my respects and 'celebrating' Dave's passing in the great Jazz tradition. I'm sure he would approve.

Perhaps we should make it an L.A. TBDB get-together.

Andy

Marcus Johnson · #17 07-19-2008, 02:30 PM

Fantastic. Please share your impressions afterwards.