UPDATED: Dallas jazz musician Marchel Ivery died Tuesday morning

zippythewonderslug, says:

How ironic that the tune he's playing in the video is titled "I Remember You." Yes Marchel, we will remember you. Your contributions to the Jazz Community cannot be measured. Thanks for putting up with me all those times I just to play with you at Jam Sessions. You helped make me a better player and I will always appreciate it. Rest In Peace, my friend.

fanbass, says:

Marchel meant so much to the Dallas jazz scene. He was one that could have easily lived in a place where jazz is more appreciated but chose to share his gift here in the area. Ivery played with such fire and respect for the idoim. He made us all want to be better. He personified humility, fun, and caring every time I was around him or on the phone. Play on Brotha!

lisatmp, says:

I'll never forget Marcel...I remember him telling me about his chance at fame if he'd taken to the road, but was a devoted family man and was unwilling to put those pressures on his family. He was so soulful just in his presence. I was honored to work with him thru Sammmons Jazz and when he performed for Arts & Letters Live. Long may his spirit reign.

cameraman, says:

I was fortunate enough to see Marchel perform many (though certainly not enough) times over the last thirty+ years. Often we talked during breaks or after the last set. I am not a musician, but I learned a great deal about music and life from him on those occasions. Like all of us, I will miss him greatly.

elkhart56, says:

Thnx Marchel for letting a wet behind the ears tbn player sit in with you on those many nights at the rec room back in the day. Gigging with you years later was always an honor and a joy.

DaveZoller, says:

The roster of 'Texas Tenors' includes, at minimum, Buddy Tate, Illinois Jacquet, David 'Fathead' Newman, Don Wilkerson, Jimmy Giuffre, Budd Johnson, Booker Ervin, King Curtis, James Clay, Arnett Cobb, Curtis Amy, Dewey Redman...

and-especially-Marchel Ivery.

Marchel was a gifted musician, a great performer and a cornerstone of the jazz community in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. He set high musical standards and took care of business. He was a role model for all of us.

It was a privilege to play with him because he was a spiritual direct line to the masters of the idiom we all love. It was both a challenge and a joy to try to match the fire, passion and love he showed in his playing, every tune, every set, every gig.

Making music with him was one of the great joys of my life.

He was also my dear friend and one of my heroes.

To lose him this soon was unthinkable. He is irreplaceable. We will all miss him terribly.

carlaj, says:

Just knowing that he will not walk on the bandstand blowing or appearing again with me leaves a queasy emptiness. Lately, all i want to do is be around musicians, playing J-A-Z-Z, sitting in, talking, remembering..especially his staccato laugh that had a thousand meanings..and deep down hoping he will come walking through the door with his horn as usual. He played the kind of music i loved to sing...instrumentalist's tunes, bebop and swinging hard and then a blues you could go down home with. He was my friend, and he helped me grow from listening to him 22 years ago to playing with him more often this year that ever, and loving that "yeah" which was like a passing grade for your performance. One of the last things he told me on a break was how he was so surpised when he reluctantly went to hear a pop-Jazz artist at The Meyerson and was really surprised that he liked him, especially his scatting. He had a big smile and his eyes were sparkling as he spoke and that is how I will remember him. I will also miss my favorite tune he often played for me, "Dear Lord", now that he has graduated from this world. Thank you Marchel.