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 (Results 26-50 of 132 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 26-50 of 132 records)

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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