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 126-132 of 132 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 126-132 of 132 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Denny, Jack," accessed April 23, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111151.

Denny, Jack. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111151.

"Denny, Jack." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 23 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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