Marchel Ivery's Death Marks "A Sad Day for Dallas"
Last night, local sax great Shelley Carrol was told he would need to fill in tonight for Marchel Ivery, who was scheduled to play Terilli's on Greenville Avenue for the second time this month. Carrol was told only that Ivery was ill: He'd been checked into Presbyterian Hospital for pneumonia, a rather sudden development. Carrol thought nothing of it: He and Ivery often swapped gigs, almost as often as they performed with each other. Indeed, Carrol and Ivery just finished recording an album together, an homage to the great Texas tenors -- that fat, wide-open sound pioneered by the likes of Illinois Jacquet, Arnett Cobb, James Clay and David "Fathead" Newman. Carrol and Ivery were old pals, introduced years ago by pianist Roger Boykin at the Green Parrot, where Ivery was playing with Clay. They were also labelmates on Mark Elliott's late, lamented Leaning House.
Then, early this afternoon, Carrol -- like every other jazz musician around town -- got the phone call: Marchel Ivery, at age 69, died around 5:30 this morning. And just like that, one of Dallas' most beloved and influential musicians -- not to mention one of its most famous, if only outside the city limits -- was gone. "And, man, he was a really great guy -- he was inspiring," Carroll tells Unfair Park today. "He never said a negative word. He'd go around the way to teach you rather than scold you. I loved him. He was a sweetheart. He's gonna be missed. It's a sad day in Dallas."
The earliest recordings of Ivery were recently released: from the South Dallas Pop Festival in 1970. He did not record under his own name until 1994, when he released Marchel's Mode on Leaning House; also on the album was Dallas-born piano great Cedar Walton, who had performed on John Coltrane's original recordings for Giant Steps, among the most influential albums ever made. Walton and Ivery met in Dallas in 1966, at the Arandas Club, a legendary haunt. Years later, Walton would tell Marchel's Mode liner-note writer Doug Ramsey, "Marchel is a great exponent of the tenor sound that includes Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson, and he is a delight to play with. He's at a state where he deserves to be heard nationally and internationally."
Ivery was born in Ennis on September 13, 1938, and though he'd gain international renown as a sax player, he originally played trumpet -- when he was all of 12. As Ramsey noted, Ivery switched to sax after hearing Charlie Parker on the radio.
After graduating George Washington Carver High School, he went into the Army, and as Dave Oliphant notes in his invaluable 1996 book Texas Jazz, Ivery was stationed in Europe in the late 1950s -- and it was there he began performing with no less a legend than Bud Powell at Cheque Peche. By the mid-1960s, he was playing with another Dallas-born great: pianist Red Garland -- "whom he joined in June of 1983 in New York for Red's last job," Oliphant wrote.
Eight years ago, I spoke with Ivery about his friendship with Garland -- and the role he played in shaping Ivery's career. This is what he said, in part:
"I was always in awe of him," Ivery says. "Whenever we were on the bandstand, it was an experience I can't explain. It's something I will cherish forever. I wish he was here today. I talked to Red every day. He would call me, and we would talk an hour, two hours. Then, when we'd get off the phone, he'd say, 'You coming over?' I'd sit over there till one in the morning, and we'd talk, talk, talk. I wish I had a tape recorder. We talked about Dizzy, Max, Charlie Parker. He said that when he played with Charlie, he didn't want to solo after him, he was so good. I asked him if he recorded with Parker, and he said yeah, but he didn't know what happened to the recording. The record they did together, Live at Storyville, came out a year after Red passed. He passed without even knowing about it."
Ivery released two more albums on Leaning House: Marchel Ivery Meets Joey DeFrancesco in 1997 and, two years later, 3. He also recorded with David Newman in 1990. All are essential recordings. As Elliott notes in the liner notes for Marchel's Mode, "It is rare for a recording with musicians of this quality to take place outside of New York or Los Angeles, and rare for players outside those circles to get recognition commensurate with their talents. I hope this effort will bend those conventions." Ten years ago, Texas Monthly's John Morthland wrote: "It's not so much that 57-year-old Ivery has slipped through the cracks as that he has conducted his entire career between them."
Elliott has graciously allowed us to include a track from that album below: a stunning rendition of the Cole Porter standard, "Every Time We Say Goodbye."
Shelley Carrol has spent the better part of the afternoon phoning jazzers with whom Ivery played -- among them, Wynton Marsalis, who would jam with Ivery at Sandaga Market on Levee Street whenever he came to town. They were there last December and only last month. And in January they performed together at a tribute to Texas tenors at the Trinity Jazz Festival -- some extraordinary photos are available here from the event. But tonight, Carrol says, he will play "what Marchel would have played" when he takes the stage at Terilli's. No doubt there will be memorial concerts to come; his will be a loss deeply felt, by the players who admired him and the fans who adored him.
"He plays here almost every week," says Terillli's manager, Joey Terilli. "Has since I was 24, and I'm 38. I always call him 'Marchel My Bell,' and I can't do it no more. It's a crushing thing to me and to the music industry. I don't ever cry, but this, it brought a tear to my eye." --Robert Wilonsky
Bonus MP3:
Marchel Ivery with Cedar Walton, Lyles West and Ed Soph, "Every Time We Say Goodbye" (from the 1994 album Marchel's Mode)
"-- like every other jazz musician around town --"
Yes, like every Jazz (and blues) musician in town they don't make the Observer or DMN until they die. That's bullshit. Marchel Ivery should have been along with so many others but instead we have to read about wanna be pop stars who feel their R-N-R hair cut is gonna get them on Robert's good side.
Johnny Taylor, one of the biggest sellers at Stax and one of the biggest R-N-B stars in the sixties who called Dallas his home was neglected by the press in this town. Sweet Sam Myers who recorded and toured with Elmore James along with winning many WC Handy awards as part of Anson Funderbugh's Rockets was never mentioned and was ignored. This is the first time I've seen Shelley Carrol mentioned and it has to be over the death of a dear friend. Carrol is a star in his own right.
These guys and others are known internationally but don't get the nod. Matt Weitz and a few others do every once and a while but these performers deserve more. Much more.
Posted On: Tuesday, Oct. 30 2007 @ 5:53PMMy father, who used to gig with Marchel back in the 70s, sent me an email about Marchel's passing. It truly is a sad day for jazz in Dallas because Marchel was in a class of his own. He was definitely one of the last bastions of the Old School from that era and an influence on a lot of musicians that have passed through Dallas. While I'm not a full time musician, I used to do jam sessions with him and I felt like I was suddenly a better musician just with him being there. My condolences to his family and big thanks to Marchel for being there for us young folk who wanted to learn and keep the music alive.RIP, my friend. I'm sure Art Blakey and Red Garland will be glad to see their old friend again.
Posted On: Tuesday, Oct. 30 2007 @ 5:55PMIdiot, I'm glad you feel comfortable using Marchel's death as an excuse to tear into the Observer and me in particular for our coverage of jazz. And I am in no mood to debate you -- you're free to your opinion and vitriol. Only, keep in mind we've written much about Ivery -- I knew him well, back when I was music editor. I would direct you to our search engine, where you will find dozens of references to Marchel over the years:
http://dallasobserver.com/search/search.php?keywords=marchel+ivery&x=0&y=0
Of course, we could always have done more. But he was hardly ignored in life, and I can do no less than pay my respects upon his death.
As for Johnnie Taylor, well, here too are some things we've written about him over the years.
http://dallasobserver.com/search/search.php?keywords=Johnnie+taylor&x=0&y=0
Posted On: Tuesday, Oct. 30 2007 @ 6:01PMI'm sorry to rain on your parade Robert, but I'm pissed. More should have been writen about these guys.
And you forgot the links to Sam Myers.
Posted On: Tuesday, Oct. 30 2007 @ 6:12PMWell, as I said before, you're welcome to be pissed. I certainly won't stop you. And here are those Sam Myers links you requested, including a May 1996 story about Myers written by the great Josh Alan Friedman titled "Fire and Fury." You will also find my July 2006 Unfair Park obit there, in addition to many other references large and small.
http://dallasobserver.com/search/search.php?keywords=sam+myers
Posted On: Tuesday, Oct. 30 2007 @ 6:15PMyall don't need to argue on this sad day. save it for tommorow
Posted On: Tuesday, Oct. 30 2007 @ 8:13PMI appreciate the fact that The Observer is making space to acknowledge the greatness that is Marchel Ivery. I have yet to see anything on the DMN site and I doubt I will until maybe a couple of days from now. The odds are strong that if you listened to jazz here in Dallas, you've heard of Marchel Ivery. If Marchel were reading this, he'd just shake his head and laugh about it. All that matters is that the people who listened to his music enjoyed it and that his fans appreciated him. If no one else cares, then that's their loss. Marchel seemed like such an egoless, "aw shucks" kind of guy that he was the same whether he was playing in front of 3(which has happened before) or 300 people. Don't disrespect the man by using his passing for some vendetta you have against this publication.
Posted On: Tuesday, Oct. 30 2007 @ 10:10PMAt various gigs through the years, Marchel would mention to me that it made him happy to see younger people and kids at his performances. I think it gave him some kind of comfort, that the jazz he loved to play had new life with younger generations of listeners.
Posted On: Tuesday, Oct. 30 2007 @ 10:59PMIf you have ever known Marchel, seen him smile, heard him laugh out loud or recieved advice or a compliment from him, then you loved him.
I have known Marchel and played with him countless times in my career as a vocalist and I am going to MISS him dearly. In the very early days of my career I had the privelege of playing at the Amvet Post 99 in Oak Cliff With Marchel, Claude Johnson and I can't seem to remember who else. However, I do remember that Marchel stood out in my heart and mind after that experience. Then after the show he put up a real fight because the food was not ready and he announced to Stepper (THE OWNER OF THE CLUB AND HIS HOME BOY FROM ENNIS) "Say man I'm ready for some black eyed peas, what's taking so long!" Marchel was so much fun on a gig, if the gig seemed a little dull, Marchel would wake it up and fast. He was just made that way.
Much love To The Memory Of Marchel Ivery,
Posted On: Tuesday, Oct. 30 2007 @ 11:24PMFan, Friend and Colleague,
Sandra Kaye
A Sad day. He was a great player and so energetic onstage.
I've got to agree with the above. Say what you will, there simply isn't enough jazz coverage in the Observer.
JMHO,
Will
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 31 2007 @ 7:35AMGive me back my friend.
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 31 2007 @ 8:00AMI just talked to a close friend and just made the connection when he told me his friend Marchel Ivery died. He said a friend passed and it didn't dawn on me who he was until he mentioned his name. Then I made the connection from this post.
I never knew he was a prominent musician - I just knew him as a nice guy who waved every time I waved when I was in the neighborhood even though he didn’t know me. A good man, and a good neighbor to many.
Cheers
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 31 2007 @ 8:29AMMarchel Ivery played smack in the middle of the greatest tradition of jazz tenor saxophone. Right in line with Coltrane, Sonny Rollins et al, that quality and lineage, still his own personality.
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 31 2007 @ 9:32AMYet he had no 'attitude' that might be expected from such a serious musician.
Mr. Ivery was a great, positive, friendly gentleman.
i have known of this man for a few years, but never knew how prominent he was. best wishes to his family and beautiful daughter, who my son has had fun with at the zoo and birthday party in the past. he is missed by many.
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 31 2007 @ 9:41AMI'm in shock. I don't know how to express my sorrow today as I learned of this sad, sad news. Marchel was one of the most brilliant musicians I have had the pleasure to know and work with. He was also one of the finest gentlemen I've known on a personal level. Dallas and the musical world has lost one of it's finest men. God Bless You Marchel. And God Bless all who love you.
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 31 2007 @ 10:03AMThe DMN story is at the GuideLive site; it's too bad there wasn't more synergy between the two sites for this, as it really is news and not just an "entertainment" story. But thanks to the Observer for being first out of the gate on this one.
Marchel was one of our local treasures, and he will be sorely missed. And yes, of course there could always be more jazz coverage everywhere. There's no reason that the Observer couldn't lead the way in the same manner that they led with this story. But for now, let's put aside our strong opinions and collectively mourn the loss of a great musician.
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 31 2007 @ 1:15PMWe were shocked to hear this sad news today on 10/31/2007. We remember Marchel and his great sound from the Recovery Room days, as well as, the fun times at Terilli's. We will also miss seeing him at WholeFoods and birthday parties (he loved Sonia's chocolate cake). This is a sad day for Dallas and Jazz lovers everywhere. Marchel's music will live forever and we will celebrate Marchel's life tonight by listening to it...
"What is death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well..." by h.s.holland
See ya in the next life Marchel..we love ya.
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 31 2007 @ 2:05PMHe was my friend and mentor for over 30 years. I spent my young years following him and my mentor / Bassist Charles Scott,around gigs in Dallas trying to understand why and how they played like that. Marchel didn't sing a note, small in stature but he had such a huge sound! When he made that tenor sing.......songs of lament, songs that danced and flowed . Always making your body and soul feel like you spent a weekend at Six Flags. :-) I am proud to have played with him on occasion, and like Sandra Kaye said, his smile was disarming. Like, chill man,I'm just like you. But everyone knows he 's not.
I just saw him last week, playing his heart out in front of a mike. Never moving a muscle. No wasted motion, that would just take away the power of what was on the other side of that horn. I will miss his physical presense but his legacy will out live this planet. We will thank God for letting us borrow him, he's home now........on the gig. Take a bigger bow sir.
Ricky Charles
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 31 2007 @ 2:47PMFunkmeister
I'm very saddened to hear about our loss of a truly great man and musician. The first time that i played with Marchel, i remember feeling like a hollow plastic imitation of a "jazz musician", that this man was indeed "the REAL DEAL". But what was always so beautiful about him is that he never as a PERSON made one feel that way. He was incredibly humble and very supportive of particularly the younger musicians around him. One learned from Marchel not only from the incredibly deep wisdom in his playing, but also from the way that he conducted himself and his presence. I think that it is safe to say that that presence will be greatly missed by all.
Earl Harvin
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 31 2007 @ 6:22PMI first saw Marchel at the Recovery Room on Cedar Springs, playing with Red Garland. Man, were those good times. I interviewed him at length and wrote about him for several publications (not the Observer). His playing had a creative virility of vastness rarely encountered no matter how deeply you delve in the music world. His recollections were a diorama of jazz history. I am thankful to have heard his wonderful music and for the opportunity to write about him. Jazz abides, but sans Marchel, its promise is dwindled.
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 31 2007 @ 10:40PMI work at Terilli's, and have seen Marchel play many times. A few months ago we sat together at the bar drinking a cup of coffee. He was very impressed that a young lady like myself loved old jazz music.
He told me that I was a good girl for never selling my first record "Headhunter" by Herbie Hancock. We talked about Miles Davis, Coltrane, and even my father who is a jazz pianist. He was such a sweet, kind man.
My boyfriend told me today about his death and we are both very sad. He was a great friend who always smiled and laughed at jokes. We will miss him at Terilli's for sure. I hope everyone remembers this man who played some of the greatest music that I've had the pleasure to hear live.
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 31 2007 @ 11:21PMI was saddened to hear about Marchel's passing. When I moved here to go to music school in Denton I first heard him play. I remember thinking "WOW"
We have a tradition of hiring Clint Strong to play at my birthday party every year. He would always bring Marchel with him to the gig and we were always so glad he did. The thing I remember most about him is how my friends who were not into Jazz at all would always say. "That guy is great" even my girlfriend who never liked Jazz at all loved his playing. He had a real way of connecting with people with his music and his music did the talking. He had the 3 qualities that make a great person. A great energy, a great outlook and a big heart.
Love ya' man,
Eric Keyes
Posted On: Thursday, Nov. 1 2007 @ 4:33PMThis man was one of my late wife's (Shirley McFatter)brothas for a couple of decades. His passing, like that of James Clay, leaves a void in our hearts, but as trite as it sounds, the music will never die. Damn Marchel, I didn't know you were that 'old'! Always so young in Spirit! My utmost compassion to your child and family. joe
Posted On: Friday, Nov. 2 2007 @ 9:47PM(damn, this is hard.....)
will miss u terribly Marschel and say hello to our friend Clay for me. Remember the front line at the Parrot. luv, Carol
Posted On: Saturday, Nov. 3 2007 @ 5:45AMY'know, this just isn't a time to quarrel. Marchel was not only a musician's musician and the best of the best, he was a sweet, gentle man and an old and dear friend. Let's not forget he left us his beautiful daughter Gloria as part of his legacy. And he will be so sorely missed....
Posted On: Sunday, Nov. 4 2007 @ 3:29PMRobert, I forgot to say that Dave Zoller will be on piano at Terilli's - He and Marchel did the Sunday night gig there when it came up. Those two did a really special thing together. Wish I could hear them again...
Posted On: Sunday, Nov. 4 2007 @ 3:34PMWhen I ran the Deep Ellum Sambuca, Marchel was one of my very favorite players but most importantly, he became one of my favorite friends and people. He was a gentle person with enormous warmth, a generous spirit and a great sense of humor. I moved from Dallas about six years ago, but somehow we always managed to stay in touch. We had a habit of calling each other when we knew voicemail would pick up, and leaving each other our favorite new jokes, Marchel was always my best audience. When I got the news via email on Wednesday, I was at work and strangely, just to the left of my computer is a photo my wife took of Marchel and I onstage in Deep Ellum, laughing and acting like fools. Made me cry looking at it that day. He was a wonderful person and the world is richer for him having been here, but poorer in his passing. A shout out to you all, I really feel your loss as well.
Posted On: Sunday, Nov. 4 2007 @ 5:33PMjc
I had just seen Marchel with Wynton Marsalis at Sandaga a few weeks ago when Julie Bonk called and said he was gone. He and I hugged as usual and talked of working together again. I was looking forward to that. He made me feel like I belonged on stage with his greatness. I loved the answer is horn made to the call of my voice.
Breggett Rideau
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 6 2007 @ 2:54PMWhen Julie Bonk called and asked could I help spread the word that Marchel was gone, I remembered that I had just seen him a few weeks before with Wynton Marsalis. He and I hugged as usual and talked about working together again. I looked forward to that. He made me feel like I belonged on the stage with his greatness. I loved the answer his horn made to the call of my voice.
B~
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 6 2007 @ 3:10PMWOW,
Posted On: Thursday, Nov. 8 2007 @ 7:51AMI just got the news about Marchel....this is a shock!!
I just can't get over it!
The first time I ever saw him play, it was in the galleries at the DMA...I know you guys knew him alot longer than I have, but that day....him and his horn in the galleries blowin' those love songs....I was instantly in love.
Since then I have seen his smile, heard that laugh....enjoyed that twinkle in his eye....he was a great and true gentleman...he lives 'cause he lives in us...and we better for having known him.
My heart is with his family and his little darling Gloria.
I have pictures if anyone needs any. just contact me.
Barbara
A Giant has passed! While maybe small in stature, he Loomed Large in any Gig he played! We were Lucky enough to have him play in our horn section on occasion and were in awe of how he could just so easily Shine in any arrangement! Truly an Absolute Sweet Soul and Gentlemen who will be sorley missed here in Dallas!
Posted On: Thursday, Nov. 8 2007 @ 8:12AMAs well as being a world class jazz talent, Marchel was a truly humble man. And he was very encouraging to the younger players coming up.
I used to go over to the old Recovery Room when I was 19. I was very green and only knew a handful of standards. Nevertheless, Marchel let me sit in.
Then 20 years later he would call me up on the occasions that he needed a trombone player for a gig. Every time I would get to play alongside him was a joy and a privilege.
We will miss you greatly Marchel.
Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 14 2007 @ 8:16AMAll of the best traits of Marchel's music - warmth, integrity, subtlety, power - were the best traits of his personality, too. He was a complete artist and a gentle giant of Texas music.
I hope Mark Elliot and Earl Harvin write "Marchel and Me" articles for the Dallas Observer soon.
Posted On: Thursday, Nov. 15 2007 @ 9:10AMI first heard Marchel play many years ago when I lived in Oklahoma and attended the Jazz In June program in Norman. He was really bad then and he continued to grow and grow. Truly one of the all-time great Tenors to come from Texas. I friend, a gentleman, and as Duke Ellington always said, "It Don't Mean A Thing, If It Ain't Got That Swing"- Marchel had "That Thing", that special thing and I was very shocked and saddened of his passing. So sad, that a giant voice was silenced so soon, with so much left to say.God Bless You and Thanks so much for making my life more enjoyable.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 27 2007 @ 7:39PMMarchel had a heart of gold and was the true definition of "cool". I was fortunate to meet Marchel when I started my first job out of college working with him at Lomas Information Systems. He took me under his wing and gave me wonderful advice about living life, relationships, music, etc... His smile, warm heart and positive outlook will be missed, but not forgotten.
Posted On: Sunday, Jan. 27 2008 @ 4:28PM