Friday, February 9, 2024
I have known and loved Dennis as a dear friend for 57 years. Dennis was a senior at SUNY Albany and a chairperson of their annual weekend jazz festival and I was the agent he contracted to provide the performers. The year, 1967. The lineup Dennis chose to play the two day event included; Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis, The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Big Band, Nick Brignola, Elvin Jones, Jeremy Stye, Kenny Burrell … This outstanding lineup demonstrates that Dennis thought pharaonic even at an early age and he continued that level throughout his life.
Dennis graduated from SUNY Albany earning his MBA and later in life at age 55 earned his Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Columbia. Dennis was comfortable in the most demanding academia
environments and earning his JD mid life was no small achievement.
Dennis cared about people … he cared about the planet … he was an extraordinary humanitarian who gave his voice to those who had no voice. In conversation he was deliberate and articulate with an extraordinary command of the language. When speaking out against genocide, against world oppressors he was loud and contentious … he was passionate.
Dennis leaves behind a brother, his loving wife to be, Jane and his dearest friend Assaf….and hundreds of friends and colleagues about whom he cared deeply.
