DESCRIPTION:
Dennis Palmer (October 13, 1957 - February 15, 2013)

Chattanooga native Dennis Palmer, 55, was a beloved musician, visual artist, storyteller, educator, mentor, and devoted friend of many. He passed away at his home on February 15, 2013.

A singular vocalist and nontraditional musician, called "the world's most colorfully inventive synthesizer player" by Creative Loafing, he co-founded the acclaimed free improvisation group The Shaking Ray Levis with drummer Bob Stagner in 1986, which was the first American band to record an album for the legendary British label Incus Records. Palmer has performed internationally with collaborators including Derek Bailey, Steve Beresford, Reverend Howard Finster, David Greenberger, Col. Bruce Hampton, Shelley Hirsch, Roger Turner, and Davey Williams.

As a visual artist, Palmer has exhibited his paintings, silk-screened prints, and other unconventional artwork both locally and internationally in cities including London and Los Angeles, and he has designed many CD and record covers.

A leader in the arts community, Palmer co-founded the nonprofit arts education organization The Shaking Ray Levi Society and served as its artistic director for over 26 years. Palmer promoted the ideas of improvisation and creativity in thought, performance, and visual art to students of all ages and developed outreach programs for under-served populations including students with developmental, emotional, or physical disabilities. Palmer served as President of The Association for Visual Arts (AVA) and on the board of directors for Mark Making, and he taught art in Hamilton County schools.

When teaching children, Dennis would ask them about the last time they had a good feeling. In his own words: "Clap your hands once and put your hands over your heart and give that good feeling to yourself. Next is to clap your hands again and sound off and give that feeling to everybody within the room. The third thing is to clap your hands, sound off and give that feeling out off to the whole universe."

Dennis was an inspiration for many and a strong advocate of "living in the moment" and "doing the highest good for all" in the community and beyond.

The Shaking Ray Levi Society: http://www.shakingray.com

Times Free Press article: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/feb/17/dennis-palmer-shaking-ray-founder-dies/

Creative Loafing article: http://clatl.com/cribnotes/archives/2013/02/17/rip-dennis-palmer-of-the-shaking-ray-levis-1957-2013

Dennis Palmer Portraiture: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=090pxTKK9kQ

With Rev. Howard Finster and Bob Stagner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwUD0iIHfFQ

With Col. Bruce Hampton and Davey Williams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nxN_1JJKtg

With Shelley Hirsch and Bob Stagner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzcrO9YNCCA

With Amy Denio, Jessica Lurie, and Bob Stagner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sxu0L2qaVg

With Derek Bailey and Bob Stagner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm2hAFAZayk