Original Music

Reviews

Jazz historian and author of 11 books Scott Yanow calls Dennis “a talented guitarist-composer who is well worth discovering” who “has an original sound on his guitar” and “is a flexible improviser with a versatile sound” who “never seems to run out of inventive ideas.”

Dennis playing jazz guitar live in WatertownKyle Simpler from All About Jazz says “Winge’s diverse musical background [fills his music] with a wide range of styles, including fusion, blues, funk, and world music influences as well.  [His] guitar work is exceptional and [his compositions are] well crafted, intelligent without being pretentious.  [Winge’ playing] “reminds us that good music can also be good fun.”

George W. Harris, editor at Jazz Weekly, says [Winge’s compositions] “never feel like they are an exercise in gimmickry for its own sake.   All of the cleverness and talent means nothing if the themes and performances don’t deliver, and yes, they do.”

Editor of Contemporary Fusion Reviews Dick Metcalf says “one of the most impressive things about Dennis’ [music] is the variety of styles you’ll hear,” calling it a “high-energy jazz adventure.”  He says “[Winge’s] guitar work encompasses several styles of music, all the way from rock/blues to funk, world and  eclectic jazz…total talent and dexterity.

Jules Brown, editor-in-chief of jazz guitar online magazine, writes “[Dennis has] such a varied, genre-spanning selection of music, it is hard to pin any all-encompassing labels onto [it]. The common thread is perhaps Winge’s ability to paint a picture; to send the listener to a time and place beyond the here and now.  Candy sweet melodies give way to melancholic blue notes, whilst clean guitars gradually crescendo into overdrive, entirely changing atmospheres in the space of a few bars… [There are] Shades of Tal Farlow, Les Paul, John McLaughlin, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana…Winge demonstrates his wide appreciation of all genres of guitar playing and music in general. He seems deliberately unconstrained by ‘jazz’, ‘rock’, or the other ‘boxes’ we put ourselves in, and the result is some really special music.  It is intelligently conceived and passionately delivered.”

Latest News

Dennis’ brand new 2024 album Digital Interfaith has just released and is available onDennis Winge trio playing what are the odds album release concert Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp etc.!  Music historian and author of over 10 books Scott Yanow says “Digital Interfaith will hold onto listener’s interest throughout and is quite a showcase for the creative Midi guitar playing and imagination of Dennis Winge.”

Links to full reviews:  Scott Yanow, Jazz Weekly, and Contemporary Fusion Reviews.

Listen to Dennis’ interview on the “More Than Music” podcast with Kara Conrad on Spotify or  Apple Podcasts.

Read an interview with Dennis from All About Jazz called “Take 5 with Dennis Winge.”

Albums

Dennis currently has released 12 albums to date:  11 instrumental and 1 with vocals.  7 of them feature strictly original music.

Digital Interfaith (2024)

cover of Digital Interfaith album

“Digital Interfaith” is 31 two-minute uplifting and adventurous originals in a wide range of styles featuring Dennis on guitar, bass and programming.  Music historian Scott Yanow says “Digital Interfaith will hold onto listener’s interest throughout and is quite a showcase for the creative Midi guitar playing and imagination of Dennis Winge.” Links to full reviews:  Scott Yanow, Jazz Weekly, and Contemporary Fusion Reviews.

Sketches (2023)

Dennis Winge Sketches album cover

“Sketches” is a collection of accessible yet adventurous originals featuring Dennis on guitar, bass and programming of drums, keys, etc.

For Music Geeks Only (2022)

cover of For Music Geeks Only

“For Music Geeks Only” is a double-album and optional educational package of 82 original modal vignettes for guitar.  Musicians who gave reviews of this album and educational package say “The material is impressive in content and lay out”…“designed to get you hearing but it’ll also get you thinking”…”This is going to keep me busy for a while”…”Sure to expand your brain and your ears“…”many creative possibilities. Highly recommended.”

What Are the Odds? (2021)

What Are The Odds album cover

“What Are the Odds?” is a double-album of originals, many of which are in odd time signatures, with trio and special guests.  All About Jazz says it’s “…an eclectic assortment of well-crafted songs…the guitar work here is exceptional…intelligent without being pretentious…more things to be discovered with repeated listening…reminds us that good music can also be good fun.”  Read the full review here.

Not From Brooklyn” (2020)

Dennis wrote 60% of the material and leads the trio on this debut album from “Not From Brooklyn.”

Fly on the Wall (2020)

Fly on the Wall album cover

“Fly on the Wall” is a solo guitar album of covers from a variety of genres) – no accompaniment, just live to 2-track fun

One Small Step (2019)

one small step album cover

“One Small Step” is a double-album of originals with trio.  Jazz Guitar Online says it’s “a hugely enjoyable album, with enormous variety in style. Winge demonstrates his wide appreciation of all genres of guitar playing and music in general. He seems deliberately unconstrained by ‘jazz’, ‘rock’, or the other ‘boxes’ we put ourselves in, and the result is some really special music… intelligently conceived and passionately delivered.  The common thread is perhaps Winge’s ability to paint a picture; to send the listener to a time and place beyond the here and now [with] a tight trio playing very well indeed [and] when they are in the zone, they are magnificent.”

Read full reviews from JazzGuitar.com here and Contemporary Fusion Reviews here.

Come Out and Play (2018)

“Come Out and Play” is a collection of instrumental covers with Dennis’ Trio from when they used to play at a lively “Chicken ‘n’ Jazz” weekly event in Elmira NY.

Just the One of Us (2017)

“Just The One of Us” is an all-acoustic, all-original set of music.  Of it, jazz historian Scott Yanow and author of 11 books including The Great Jazz Guitarists says “Winge’s mastery…makes his guitar sound like an orchestra… with each selection containing its own subtle surprises and heated moments. This enjoyable set is easily recommended not only to lovers of the acoustic guitar but to anyone interested in creative improvised music.”

May Your Holidays be Filled with Love (2010)

“May Your Holidays Be Filled with Love” is a creative collection of holiday songs arranged for jazz guitar.

Baby Lullabies (2006)

“Baby Lullabies” is a mellow set of night-time classics from around the world to help your newborn sleep peacefully.

Young At Heart (2022)

“Young At Heart” is a live recording from a local Senior Center and features favorites for kids over 65. 🙂

Dennis Winge trio at Monks

Audio

– montage from What Are the Odds? album play

– Blues the Way I Like ‘Em (live) play

– Roses are Blue (live) play

– Liquid Universe (live) play

– New York Inn (live) play

– Mysterious Identity play