Biography

At the age of 5, Denny began his life long love of the piano and all things related to music. His father, a musician, teacher and composer saw to it that young Dennis was exposed to the early romantic sounds of Bach and Chopin. As well as the great American composers, Bernstein, Gershwin, Kern. An early memory while the family lived in Chicago is sitting on Arthur Fiedlers lap in the kitchen surrounded with the sounds and rhythms of the 40’s.

A move to San Francisco enabled Denny to begin studying at the Conservatory at age 6 and at age 7 he knew his life would always be governed by his love of piano and his need to express his more than abundant energy. The teen years brought included classical recitals but after exposure to Bruback, Previn, Miles and Monk, jazz took over. When a friend turned him on to fats Domino and Little Richard, the element of blues was added to his enthusiasm for creating his own sound. Several groups he created followed as the family moved to remote  areas in California due to his father’s teaching. These were not happy years for Denny yet the isolation from city stimulation pushed his creative juices and he was soon “the only game in town” wherever the family moved.

Fast forward to the 70’s and the beginnings of a teaching career in both English and Music at Foothill College , Los Altos , California . Denny began experimenting musically with trumpet player Randy Masters along with Dent Hand on flugelhorn, bassist Mickey McPhillips and others and the first Solar Plexsus band was born. From 1972 to 1980 Solar Plexus recorded five LP’s, the final three with Inner City Records.  Hi-fidelity magazine called Solar Plexsus “the most promising jazz group of the year”. Much of the sound that made this fusion group so sought after was Denny’s eclectic musical history.

Along with his full time teaching career Denny took a long standing gig at Garden City, the premier jazz venue on the Peninsula while accompanying many great jazz vocalists, such as Diane Schuur, Rosemary Cloony and  a host of others. Bay area musical productions also created outlet for his piano skills with such productions as West Side Story, Sunday In The Park With George, Will Rogers Follies, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Chorus Line.

In 1985 Denny married vocalist Susan Berthiaume. The duo continued performing throughout the San Francisco and Bay area and began recording. Their CD “Love On Track” highlights Denny’s skillful and sensitive style as accompanist and dynamic arranger.

Currently living in San Francisco the music adventure continues. Denny, recently retired from 25 years teaching, is devoting himself to composing and arranging while continuing live performances.

He currently performs and records with 3 trios and 3 duos (with Dave Bendigkeit—trpt; with Jeff Buenz—gtr; and with vocalists Catherine Seidel and Désirée Goyette.)