Jack Denny

Jack Denny (September 25, 1895 – September 15, 1950) was an American dance band leader during the pre-War years. He was born in the United States and started his musical career in Montreal, Quebec in 1920.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Denny led dance bands with a conventionally styled orchestra during the 1920s, playing at various venues, including the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal, Canada. In 1931, he relocated to New York City, where he played at the newly opened Waldorf-Astoria Hotel the following year. Denny's band quickly gained popularity among the high society clientele of the Waldorf-Astoria, prompting him to develop a sweet and marvelous sound that had no brass section. His arrangements were often complex and fast-paced, unique for a sweet band.

The Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra consisted of four saxes, three violins, bass, piano, and drums, with the pianist sometimes doubling on accordion. They recorded around two dozen titles for Victor in 1932 and appeared in the film "Moonlight and Pretzels" in 1933.

After leading his band for many years, Denny retired from the band business about six years before his death and worked as a salesman for the Baldwin Piano Company. He died on September 15, 1950, at the age of 54. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife.

Birth and Death Data: Born 1895, Died 1950

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1922 - 1932

Roles Represented in DAHR: leader, director, arranger, composer, conductor

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BRC-72262 10-in. 4/11/1932 Dream sweetheart Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor BRC-72263 10-in. 4/11/1932 Night Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor BRC-72275 10-in. 4/13/1932 Goodnight, my love Jack Denny ; June Pursell ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo director  
Victor BRC-72276 10-in. 4/13/1932 We will always be sweethearts Jack Denny ; June Pursell ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo director  
Victor BRC-72277 10-in. 4/13/1932 Buenas noches, amor mío Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BRC-72278 10-in. 4/13/1932 Siempre hemos de querernos Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BRC-72541 10-in. 5/4/1932 Just a-wearyin' for you Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BRC-72542 10-in. 5/4/1932 Sharing (My love for you) Jack Denny ; June Pursell ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo director  
Victor BRC-72543 10-in. 5/4/1932 Lazy day Jack Denny ; June Pursell ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo director  
Victor BRC-72554 10-in. 5/9/1932 Hello, sweetheart, hello! Jack Denny ; Frank Luther ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor BRC-72555 10-in. 5/9/1932 Why can't this go on forever Jack Denny ; Frank Luther ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor BRC-72556 10-in. 5/9/1932 Why can't this go on forever Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor BS-73945 10-in. 11/11/1932 I've told ev'ry little star Jack Denny ; Paul Small ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor BS-73946 10-in. 11/11/1932 The song is you Jack Denny ; Paul Small ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor LBS-73947 10-in. (33-1/3 rpm) 11/11/1932 The song is you Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BS-73948 10-in. 11/11/1932 The song is you Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor LBS-73949 10-in. (33-1/3 rpm) 11/11/1932 I've told every little star Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BS-73950 10-in. 11/11/1932 I've told every little star Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BS-73951 10-in. 11/11/1932 My river home Jack Denny ; Paul Small ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor LBS-73952 10-in. (33-1/3 rpm) 11/14/1932 My river home Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BS-73953 10-in. 11/14/1932 My river home Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BS-73954 10-in. 11/14/1932 That's all that matters to me Jack Denny ; Paul Small ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor LBS-73955 10-in. (33-1/3 rpm) 11/14/1932 That's all that matters Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BS-73956 10-in. 11/14/1932 That's all that matters to me Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BS-74734 10-in. 12/28/1932 Twenty million people Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor BS-74735 10-in. 12/28/1932 Moon song Jack Denny ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor BS-74736 10-in. 12/28/1932 I'm playing with fire Jack Denny ; Paul Small ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor BS-74737 10-in. 12/28/1932 You're charming Jack Denny ; Paul Small ; Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Columbia 80414 10-in. 6/23/1922 A dream of Romany Paul Specht Hotel Astor Orchestra [i.e., Paul Specht Orchestra] Jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia 80498 10-in. 8/4/1922 Goodbye Paul Specht Hotel Astor Orchestra [i.e., Paul Specht Orchestra] Jazz/dance band arranger  
Brunswick E28894 10-in. 12/17/1928 My mother’s eyes Jack Denny Orchestra ; Jack Parker Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader, arranger  
Brunswick E28895 10-in. 12/17/1928 The sun is at my window (Throwing kisses at me) Jack Denny Orchestra ; Dick Robertson Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader, arranger  
Brunswick E28896 10-in. 12/17/1928 Love dreams Jack Denny Orchestra ; Eddy Thomas Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader, arranger  
Brunswick E28897 10-in. 12/17/1928 Another kiss Jack Denny Orchestra ; Eddy Thomas Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader, arranger  
Brunswick E29974 10-in. May 1929 At the peep of dawn (I love you) Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E29975 10-in. May 1929 Let’s dream (Sweet Chewaukla) Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E29976 10-in. May 1929 The Land of Sleepy Water Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E29977 10-in. May 1929 Finding the long way home Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E32744 10-in. May 1930 Girl trouble Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal leader  
Brunswick E32745 10-in. May 1930 Leave it that way Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal leader  
Brunswick E32746 10-in. May 1930 Whippoorwill Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick E32747 10-in. May 1930 Dream Avenue Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal leader  
Brunswick E2417-E2419 10-in. 2/12/1926 Chinky Butterfly Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E2420-E2422 10-in. 2/12/1926 Always Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E2698-E2700 10-in. 3/26/1926 Waters of the Perkiomen Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E2701-E2703 10-in. 3/26/1926 A coal miners’ dream Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E2726-E2727 10-in. 4/5/1926 Waters of the Perkiomen Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E2728-E2730 10-in. 4/5/1926 A coal miners’ dream Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E2731-E2733 10-in. 4/9/1926 Adorable Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E2734-E2736 10-in. 4/9/1926 Lonesome and sorry Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E2737-E2739 10-in. 4/9/1926 Waters of the Perkiomen Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E2805-E2807 10-in. 4/19/1926 Do you believe in dreams Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E2808-E2810 10-in. 4/19/1926 Somebody’s lonely Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E2811-E2812 10-in. 4/19/1926 A coal miners’ dream Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E3798½-E3799 10-in. 9/20/1926 I lost my heart in Monterey (When I found you) Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E3800-E3801 10-in. 9/20/1926 She belongs to me Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E3854-E3855 10-in. 9/27/1926 I’ve got the girl Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E3856-E3857 10-in. 9/27/1926 Just a bird's eye view (Of my old Kentucky home) Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E4082-E4083 10-in. 11/15/1926 Short an' sweet Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio leader  
Brunswick E4084-E4085 10-in. 11/15/1926 Hello bluebird Frivolity Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio leader  
Brunswick E17331-E17333 10-in. Jan. 1926 [Unknown title(s)] Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E17334-E17337 10-in. Jan. 1926 [Unknown title(s)] Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E17421-E17424 10-in. 1/11/1926 Forever (And ever with you) Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E17425-E17428 10-in. 1/11/1926 Smile a little bit Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick E17623-E17625 10-in. 1/21/1926 Forever and ever with you Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E17626-E17628 10-in. 1/21/1926 Smile a little bit Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick E17989-E17991 10-in. 2/15/1926 Drifting and dreaming (Sweet paradise) Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal ensemble (Hawaiian) leader  
Brunswick E17992-E17994 10-in. 2/15/1926 When autumn leaves are falling Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E18140-E18142 10-in. 3/1/1926 Drifting and dreaming Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal quintet leader  
Brunswick E18143-E18145 10-in. 3/1/1926 When autumn leaves are falling Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E18152-E18154 10-in. 3/2/1926 But I do—you know I do Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E18155-E18157 10-in. 3/2/1926 I don’t want the world Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick E18203-E18205 10-in. 3/5/1926 Neapolitan nights Jack Denny Orchestra Orchestra leader  
Brunswick E18206-E18208 10-in. 3/5/1926 Just a cottage small Jack Denny Orchestra Orchestra leader  
Brunswick E18209-E18210 10-in. 3/5/1926 But I do—you know I do Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E20408-E20409 10-in. 10/14/1926 I never knew what the moonlight could do Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E20410-E20411 10-in. 10/14/1926 Ting-a-ling, the bells’ll ring Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E20528-E20529 10-in. 10/26/1926 Ting-a-ling, the bells’ll ring Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E20530-E20531 10-in. 10/26/1926 I never knew what the moonlight could do Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E20532-E20533 10-in. 10/26/1926 Am I wasting my time on you? Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E20586-E20587 10-in. 10/29/1926 Moonlight on the Ganges Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio leader  
Brunswick E20588-E20590 10-in. 10/29/1926 Some day Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio leader  
Brunswick E20704-E20705 10-in. 11/11/1926 Moonlight on the Ganges Bonnie Laddies ; Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio leader  
Brunswick E20706-E20707 10-in. 11/11/1926 Some day Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio leader  
Brunswick E20907-E20909 10-in. 12/8/1926 I love the moonlight Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick E20910-E20912 10-in. 12/8/1926 Song of Shanghai Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E20913-E20914 10-in. 12/8/1926 Am I wasting my time on you? Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick E20955-E20957 10-in. 12/15/1926 I love the moonlight Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick E20958-E20959 10-in. 12/15/1926 Song of Shanghai Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E20960-E20962 10-in. 12/15/1926 Am I wasting my time on you Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick E21346-E21348 10-in. 1/28/1927 Roses for remembrance Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick E21349-E21351 10-in. 1/28/1927 All I want is you Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick E30940-E30941 10-in. Sept. 1929 Pretty little you Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E30942-E30943 10-in. Sept. 1929 Scotchie Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E30944-E30945 10-in. Sept. 1929 The end of the lonesome trail Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E30946-E30947 10-in. Sept. 1929 Why can’t you love that way? Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E31331-E31332 10-in. Nov. 1929 Congratulations Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E31333-E31334 10-in. Nov. 1929 Hang on to me Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E31335-E31336 10-in. Nov. 1929 Climbing the stairs (Into your heart) Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E31337-E31338 10-in. Nov. 1929 Blondy Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E31892-E31893 10-in. Jan. 1930 (The one I love) Just can’t be bothered with me Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E31894-E31895 10-in. Jan. 1930 Hangin’ on the garden gate (Sayin' good-night!) Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal leader  
Brunswick E31896-E31897 10-in. Jan. 1930 A night of happiness Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E31898-E31899 10-in. Jan. 1930 Beside an open fireplace Jack Denny ; Mount Royal Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick PB446-PB447 10-in. Apr. 1928 Bells of St. Mary’s Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick PB448-PB449 10-in. Apr. 1928 I can’t do without you Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick PB450-PB451 10-in. Apr. 1928 [Unknown title(s)] Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick PB452-PB453 10-in. Apr. 1928 There’s always a way to remember (But I can’t find a way to forget) Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick PB454-PB455 10-in. Apr. 1928 [Unknown title(s)] Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick PB456-PB457 10-in. Apr. 1928 I still love you Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick PB458-PB459 10-in. Apr. 1928 Hello, Montreal! Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and vocal effects leader  
Brunswick PB460-PB461 10-in. Apr. 1928 [Unknown title(s)] Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick PB462-PB463 10-in. Apr. 1928 Moments with you Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and vocal effects leader  
Brunswick PB464-PB465 10-in. Apr. 1928 Whisper sweet and whisper low Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick PB466-PB467 10-in. Apr. 1928 Mississippi lullaby Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick PB468-PB469 10-in. Apr. 1928 [Unknown title(s)] Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick ME36325 10-in. 5/9/1931 The waltz you saved for me Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick ME36326 10-in. 5/9/1931 I’ll be with you in apple blossom time Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick ME36385 10-in. 5/13/1931 Say a little prayer for me Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick ME36386 10-in. 5/13/1931 Stories Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick ME36387 10-in. 5/13/1931 Night after night Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal leader  
Brunswick ME36402 10-in. 5/14/1931 Have you forgotten? Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal leader  
Brunswick ME36403 10-in. 5/14/1931 Out of nowhere Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick ME36404 10-in. 5/14/1931 Nevertheless (I'm in love with you) Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Victor (Canada) 7348 10-in. 1/6/1932 There's a million ways to say I love you Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor (Canada) 7349 10-in. 1/6/1932 Starlight (help me find the one I love) Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor (Canada) 7354 10-in. 1/8/1932 Just friends Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor (Canada) 7355 10-in. 1/8/1932 Good-night moon Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor (Canada) 7355 10-in. 1/8/1932 Auf Wiedersehen, my dear Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor (Canada) 7356 10-in. 1/8/1932 How can you say you love me Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor (Canada) 7357 10-in. 1/9/1932 Snuggled on your shoulder Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
Victor (Canada) 7358 10-in. 1/9/1932 Oh! What a thrill (to hear it from you) Jack Denny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo conductor  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Denny, Jack," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111151.

Denny, Jack. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111151.

"Denny, Jack." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111151

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