Irwin attended North Texas State University with Norman Wisdom, studying classical music.
He accompanied such vocalists as Jackie Paris, Betty Carter, Annie Ross, Ann Hampton Callaway, Tania Maria and Mose Allison.
Irwin also worked with Chet Baker, Mel Lewis, Joe Lovano, Stan Getz, Johnny Griffin and Horace Silver as well as with Brazilian musicians Duduca Fonseca and Portinho.
Irwin died in Manhattan on March 10, 2008, the same day as a Jazz at Lincoln Center benefit concert in his honor featuring performances by Wynton Marsalis, Tony Bennett, and Jon Hendricks, in addition to Lovano and Scofield.
With Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers With Joshua Breakstone With Curtis Fuller With Johnny Griffin With Scott Hamilton With Joe Lovano With Tisziji Munoz With Valery Ponomarev With John Scofield