Mission
Our mission is to raise scholarship funds to assist in the education of music students beyond high school. The focus will be primarily bass, (i.e., electric bass and acoustic bass) and continuing music education particularly in jazz, blues, and other traditional African American music genres.
To aid in the education of music students beyond high school, developing their skills as bassists, guitarists, writers, or using other string instruments, with a focus on jazz, blues, and/or other traditionally African American music genres.
Vision
About Reginald L Dennis
Reginald Lee Dennis developed a love for music at a very young age. Reggie’s mother, Theresa Dennis, knew that music would be her son’s gift from the very beginning. Reggie was born on March 8, 1968 in Charlotte, NC. As a child, Reggie could quickly identify instruments when listening to music. His mother bought him his first guitar when he was 9 years old. He quickly took to the instrument and, early on, was primarily self-taught.
Reggie attended Myers Park High School. Fellow student and friend, Dale Williams, says of Reggie, “He had a lot of knowledge about musicians and their careers, instruments they played. He was fascinated with tone. We would go on for hours talking about songs. That’s who he was. He was a musician.” Reggie eventually purchased his first bass guitar from a local pawn shop and attended Central Piedmont Community College where he learned to read music. Reggie also attended the Carolina School of Broadcasting. As a teen, he worked as roadie for local jazz legend, Johnny Holloway, who became his mentor. In addition to playing with Mr. Holloway, Reggie played with numerous bands in the Charlotte area, including Funk Rush, DeJaVu, Black Ants, The Inn, Lower Level, and at The Fellowship Place and Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church. He composed his own music and produced as well. Reggie had a long view and vision when it came to music.
In 2008, Reggie met Letron Brantley, who was looking for a bassist for his band, Jazz Revolution. Brantley was impressed by Reggie’s talent and humility. They became close friends. Reggie played bass for Jazz Revolution, which was a Charlotte based ensemble that performed jazz and soul music throughout the south. Brantley says that Reggie encouraged young musicians. He didn’t limit himself to any one musical genre, and embraced different musical styles. Reggie knew his purpose and lived it. He loved people, and was gentle, caring, supportive, and thoughtful. Reggie was a friend, a mentor, a supporter. But music was his first love.
Board Members
Theresa Dennis
Theresa Dennis gave birth to Reginald Lee Dennis on March 8, 1968, who became an exceptionally talented local musician recognized for his jazz performances as a bassist throughout the local music community and has always been a source of great pride for the Dennis family. Theresa is originally from southeastern Mecklenburg County, specifically the Matthews, Mint Hill area and southeast Charlotte, NC. Theresa attended Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools and following Reggie’s birth later earned a degree in office administration from Central Piedmont Community College. Her career includes positions with Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, and the State of North Carolina, before retiring as Executive/Administrative Assistant with the Atlanta Police Department. Upon retiring from her role from the Atlanta Police Department, Theresa
returned to Charlotte where she continued to serve her community as a Career Support Volunteer at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. She currently resides in Belmont, NC.
“Honoring Reggie’s Life, Legacy & Love for Music”
Mark Crowson
Mark Crowson is a native of Charlotte NC who has been involved in the local music and art scene for decades. He is a devoted father of two and tries to instill a love of music and art in his children and family. He has been playing drums and percussion for most of his life. He has been a recording and mix engineer and a producer for local bands. He has a love for vintage drums and restoration. He has also launched his own brand building custom drums from scratch. Mark and Reggie Dennis became fast friends way back in 1990. They shared a love of humor, music, art and food. They spent a lot of time together playing and recording music, laughing and joking with each other. Mark currently spends his time playing with numerous bands and groups around Charlotte playing different styles such as jazz, cumbia, funk, soul and rock. His hope is to live up to and perpetuate the legacy of Reggie Dennis through music, art and service to his local community.
Greg Dampier
South Carolina native Greg Dampier is a Percussionist and Speech-Language Pathologist in Charlotte, North Carolina. Outside of the therapy room, Greg performs regularly with various jazz and contemporary music groups locally and across the U.S. Prior to Charlotte, Greg resided in Nashville, Tennessee as a touring and studio musician. Greg has performed with Vince Gill, Gloria Gaynor, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, The Platters, Tosco Music Party, Abby K, Letron Brantley & Friends, and Denver & The Mile High Orchestra. One of Greg’s favorite performing ensembles is Jazz Revolution, where he met bassist and good friend Reggie Dennis. Greg resides in Charlotte with his wife and daughter.
James Gregory
James Gregory is a seasoned bassist whose passion for music has been cultivated over many years of dedicated practice and performance. With a deep love for diverse musical genres, James seamlessly blends the soulful rhythms of Gospel with the intricate melodies of Jazz, creating a sound that resonates with audiences from all walks of life. His musical journey has taken him across the country, gracing stages at renowned venues and sharing his gift with communities nationwide. Locally, James is a familiar and beloved presence in the Charlotte music scene, where his performances continue to inspire and uplift. Beyond his musical talents, James is a devoted man of God. His faith is the foundation of his artistry, guiding his purpose and infusing his music with a spirit of hope and joy. Whether he's playing in a church service, a jazz lounge, or a concert hall, James brings authenticity, warmth, and a heart full of worship to every note he plays.
Aaron Carlisle
Aaron B. Carlisle has been a freelance musician and producer for 30+ years. Starting at age 14 playing with various showbands, musical theatre, cover bands and cruise ships. Aaron has played and produced virtually every style of music from soul, RnB, pop, reggae, rock, afro-pop, classical, electronic, hip-hop, avant garde but his real passion is jazz. Currently Aaron is a freelance musician ,teaches private guitar lessons and is an Adjunct Professor of guitar at Wingate University.
Letron Brantley
Letron Brantley is a native of South Carolina from a modest town called Marion. From an early age, Letron has been active in music since the age of 12 in middle school where he excelled at the saxophone. In high school, he frequently participated in district, region, and all state bands as well as concert competitions. It was in high school where Letron discovered jazz greats such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Oscar Peterson, and Duke Ellington. After high school, Letron ventured to Atlanta where his Jazz aspirations grew to another level. There he was able to integrate himself into the Jazz scene to study and perform with many of the local greats. Since then, Letron has been on a self motivated quest to learn all he can about the music and perfect his craft. Along his journey he had the opportunity to meet Reggie Dennis who helped to shape his musical tastes and sound. Letron is currently an active musician and educator in the Charlotte, NC area where he performs many venues which include country clubs, tower clubs, wine venues, weddings, corporate events and more.
Marlene Ferguson
Marlene S. Ferguson moved to Charlotte, NC in 1977 after having completed undergraduate studies at Hampton University in Hampton, VA and graduate school at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. After several years with the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System, Marlene worked as a family counselor, social worker, and training specialist with Mecklenburg County Government until her retirement in 2005. Marlene sought out live music in Charlotte and turned her love of music into a business opportunity in the early 2000’s. She started The Music Broker for the purpose of securing musicians for events and providing band management services. She also served three years as President of the Charlotte Jazz Society. As a result of these
experiences, Marlene developed relationships with many local musicians, but she sees her relationship with Reggie as having been a very special one.
Carl Ratliff
A North Carolina native, Carl began playing saxophone in sixth grade at Morven Elementary School. Having taken music seriously, Carl went on to college and majored in music at Winthrop University where he played in the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Midi Lab Band, and the Winthrop Singers. While at Winthrop University, he was selected as a member of the SC All-College Jazz Ensemble. Carl graduated from Winthrop College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Degree and Winthrop University with a Master of Arts in Teaching Music Degree. Carl has a daughter, Olivia Ratliff who is also very involved in the musical arts. Musically, Carl continues to perform with his jazz quartet, Common Ground, A Sign Of The Times of the Carolinas, Conversation Piece and Plair Band. He freelances with several groups throughout the Carolinas.
Dale Williams
Dale was born in Charlotte NC in April 1967. His introduction to music was his mother's Monday get togethers on her day off. Later influences were his brothers broad music taste from early 70s classic Rock to mid to late 70s funk. He would sneak and listen to various albums while he was working. He was fascinated with funk, especially Parliament and Kiss. Later he developed into a full on love for music and a desire to play the guitar which would be his first instrument of choice, until hearing Bootsy Collins Space Bass which changed everything. From that point he was attracted to any pawn shop that had instruments in the windows. Most shops would allow you to play the instruments as well. Finally a classmate's father gifted him an old bass guitar out of their garage and wanted Dale to promise him he would play it. Years later his passion has never changed for the instrument or the music. At 15 yrs old, he met Reggie Dennis in Health Occupation class in high school. He was tapping out a drum beat with his foot, a hair brush, and making the cymbal sounds with his mouth. Dale immediately turned to him and said, "She's Strange by Cameo". They were kindred spirits chasing this love of music from that day forth. The only thing different is that his love for Reggie is expressed through the music. He's always part of the conversation.