Matt Dennis
Matthew Loveland Dennis, known as Matt Dennis, was an influential American singer, pianist, band leader, arranger, and songwriter, born on February 11, 1914, in Seattle, Washington. The son of a violinist mother and a singer father, Dennis was immersed in music from a young age, particularly through his family's involvement in vaudeville. He began his professional music career in 1933 with Horace Heidt's orchestra as a vocalist and pianist, later forming his own band with Dick Haymes as the vocalist.
During World War II, Dennis served in the United States Army Air Forces, contributing as a singer-vocalist and arranger for the Radio Production Unit and playing with the Glenn Miller Air Force Band. Post-war, he returned to music, supported by his friend Dick Haymes, who hired him as music director for his radio program. Dennis collaborated with lyricist Tom Adair, creating numerous songs for the show.
Dennis's songwriting prowess was notable, with 14 of his compositions recorded by the Tommy Dorsey band in a single year, including the hit "Everything Happens to Me," which became an early success for Frank Sinatra. His 1953 song "Angel Eyes," co-written with Earl Brent, became a jazz standard, and his work was celebrated by artists like Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, and Dave Brubeck.
Throughout his career, Dennis recorded six albums, though they were out of print for many years. In 2012, Jasmine Records re-released four of his records under the collection "Welcome Matt." Dennis was married to singer Virginia Maxey from 1953 until his death on June 21, 2002, in Riverside, California, at the age of 88. His contributions to music were recognized with his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010.
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