MARTIN DENNY

Born 10 April 1911, New York City, New York  Died 2 March 2005, Hawaii Kai, Hawaii The man who brought the name "exotica" to this genre. The King of the Tiki Hut. Denny not only brought exotica its biggest hit of all time with his #2 single of Les Baxter's "Quiet Village,", he gave two other key figures in exotica--Arthur Lyman and Julius Wechter--their starts, and influenced several generations of lounge performers. Denny studied classical piano as a child in New York City. He began working professionally at a young age and spent four years touring South America with the Don Dean Orchestra before serving in the Air Force in World War II. Afterward, he attended at the Los Angeles Conservatory and studied composition with Wesley La Violette, who influenced many West Coast jazz composers and arrangers. He continued to work in clubs with small combos when he was read more...