Dr. Wayne Dyess

My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Wayne was one of those very few people that come into our lives that is loved and respected by all. Tirelessly worked to spread the joy of music....he carried his share of the load and then some. The world simply isn't quite as nice without Wayne. He will be missed but not forgotten. Rest in peace. Lamar trombone student and trombonist with Navy Band for 26 years, Adam Vincent

It was a blessing to have a Web-based friendship with Wayne Dyess. Even though we never met in person, he was one of the most kind, supportive and encouraging colleagues I have ever had the good fortune to have in my life. May God grant comfort and send His peace to his loved ones, students, and colleagues at Lamar University.

Eric Richards, D.M.A.
Associate Professor of Composition and Jazz Studies
University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music

So sorry for your loss. May God comfort your family through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless.

To the Family of Dr.Dyess, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Sherri from the library.

Wayne, you have been such an inspiration over the years to so many of us in the music groups. Any time I had a question, you had an answer. Any time I was looking for help with a project, you were there lending a hand. Though we never met, I feel like I've known you for many years. I sincerely hope your wife, children and grandchildren can heal with positive memories of you. The historic preservation of the music is something you and I shared. I will never forget working with you on so many projects. May God bless you, your family and your friends and students. "Memories of You" would certainly be a fitting musical tribute to a man that gave us all so much.

It is my distinct loss to have never met Wayne in person, but fortunately I got to know him well thru our internet based big band music group. What a true gentleman, savvy marketeer and business man, musical genius, and fabulous performing artist he was ! I will miss him, and I know everyone who encountered him along his musically blessed journey will miss him also. May God's light shine forever upon you my friend.

Elvin Monteleone
New Orleans, Louisiana

I love you Wayne! I am so glad that I actually told you that through the years! I will miss you SO MUCH! Thank you for believing in my abilities and MAKING me join Lamar Jazz Band A. If it were not for you and Jimmy Simmons I would have never learned to play jazz piano for REAL! Thank you for allowing me the honor of joining NDO and all the fun times we had these past few years. You touched my life in many ways and I will always admire and love you. My prayers are with your family and many friends who will mourn this great loss.

I will miss you. You have helped me so much in the few years I have known you

Thare's nothing I can say that hasn't been already said, and we cannot say enough about what he ment to all of us whose lives were touched by him and his talents.

I was so saddened to hear of your loss. I have known Wayne through an internet group that shares the love of big band music along with advice, charts, and a certain level of humor. I never met Wayne in person and yet I felt very close to Wayne. We swapped music, rehearsal techniques, and I had even talked to Wayne last year about coming to Ohio to help my band to a recording. We were both ex-military musicians (I was Air Force) so we also had that in common.
All these things go a long way in saying that I lost a very dear friend. I know we end up playing together again one day and I know Wayne will be smiling and letting me know he saved me a place.
God bless you and your family and thank you for sharing so freely this wonderful man and his amazing spirit.