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 51-75 of 132 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 51-75 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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