Kenny Dennis


Kenny Dennis is a Philadelphia-born American jazz drummer. He has played on albums for such artists as Nancy Wilson, Sonny Stitt, Sonny Rollins, Johnny Griffin, Oscar Brown Jr., Charles Mingus, Billy Taylor, and Mal Waldron, among others.

Biography

Dennis began his musical career in the United States Army Band, playing drums in three bands from 1948-1952. After being discharged, he connected with junior high school mate, pianist Ray Bryant and became part of The Ray Bryant Trio along with Jimmy Rowser on bass. They became the house trio at the North Philadelphia Jazz Club, Blue Note where they played for such jazz artists as Kai Winding, Chris Connor and Sonny Stitt. His career next took him to New York, where he worked with artists including Miles Davis, Phineas Newborn, Jr., Billy Taylor, Erroll Garner, Charles Mingus and Sonny Rollins.
In 1957, Dennis performed in Sonny Rollins's Trio with bassist Wendell Marshall at Carnegie Hall—a historic performance that was commemorated in 2007 with a 50th anniversary concert. Dennis moved to California, when Miles Davis recommended him to Lena Horne. Recording credits include recordings with such artists as Michel Legrand, Miles Davis, Charlie Mingus, Nancy Wilson, Gerald Wilson and poet Langston Hughes.
Since 1997 he has been an assistant director of the Lab Band at the award winning . He and his wife Nancy Wilson were married from 1960 to 1970. Their son, Kacy was born in 1963.

Discography

With Roy Ayers
With Johnny Griffin
With Slide Hampton
With Sonny Rollins
With Sonny Stitt
With Billy Taylor
With Mal Waldron