Dennis Carroll

BIO

Courses Taught  

Applied Jazz Bass 

Jazz Combos

About

Dennis Carroll began his professional career as a 17-year-old out of Poplar Grove, IL, and has since reached international acclaim as a bassist in service of the jazz art form. He has been featured on three recent top-ten jazz albums: Eric Alexander’s Like Sugar, Bobby Broom’s Notes of Thanks, and Chicago Jazz Orchestra’s More Amor. His new project, DC and The Love, features Carroll’s original compositions and lyrics alongside a stellar band of musicians who met through the DePaul jazz department. Their debut record is set for release in summer 2027.
 
A dedicated pedagogue for over 30 years, Carroll strongly believes in passing on the tradition with the same generosity with which it was passed on to him by his mentors, Jodie Christian, Russ Long, Mike Alongi, and Von Freeman. He has proudly served on the faculty for Ravinia’s Reach, Teach, Play for over 14 years and DePaul School of Music for over 12 years, shaping the artistic education of countless young musicians in Chicago and beyond. 
 
Carroll has shared the stage with innumerable jazz greats, a testament to his depth and versatility, including, but not limited to: Gary Bartz, Ron Blake, Peter Bernstein, Bobby Broom, Kenny Burrell, Sharel Cassity, George Coleman, Roxy Coss, Peter Erskine, Frank Foster, Curtis Fuller, Johnny Griffin, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, Eddie Harris, Peggy Lee, Charles McPherson, Eric Reed, Sam Rivers, Claudio Roditi, John Scofield, Mary Stallings, Joe Williams, Frank Wess, and Pharez Whitted.