Martin Denny

Composer ("Forbidden Island", "Exotica"), songwriter, author and pianist, a student of Wesley La Violette and Arthur Lange. He toured South America with a band from 1931 to 1935, and served in the US Army Air Force during World War II. He was an accompanist for Hildegarde and Betty Hutton, and in 1955 formed a musical group in Hawaii, performing until 1961. He appeared on radio and television and in nightclubs and hotels, and made many creative instrumental records, including the hit release "Quiet Village". Joining ASCAP in 1958, his chief musical collaborators include Mack David and Hal Johnson. His other popular-song and instrumental compositions include "Burma Train", "Primativa", "Island of Dreams", "Cobra", "Hypnotique", When First I Loved", "Love at Sight", "Aloha I Love You", "Blue Paradise", and "Sake Rock".