Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

February 11, 1914 in Seattle, WA

Death

:

June 21, 2002 in Riverside, CA

 

Matt Dennis was an American composer, pianist, and singer who was born on February 11, 1914, in Seattle, Washington. He was the son of a vaudeville performer and grew up in a musical family. His father played the piano and his mother sang, and they often performed together in local theaters. Matt Dennis began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. As a teenager, Matt Dennis played in local dance bands and began writing his own songs. He attended the University of Washington, where he studied music theory and composition. After college, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. He worked as a pianist and arranger for various bands and singers, including Tommy Dorsey and Martha Tilton. In 1940, Matt Dennis signed a contract with the publisher Leeds Music Corporation and began writing songs for popular singers of the time, such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Peggy Lee. His first hit song was "Everything Happens to Me," which was recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1941. The song became a jazz standard and was later recorded by many other artists, including Chet Baker and Billie Holiday. Matt Dennis continued to write hit songs throughout the 1940s and 1950s, including "Angel Eyes," "Violets for Your Furs," and "Let's Get Away from It All." He also recorded his own albums as a singer and pianist, including "Welcome Matt" and "Matt Dennis Plays and Sings." In the 1960s, Matt Dennis moved to New York City and began working as a composer for television and film. He wrote the theme song for the TV show "Angel," as well as music for the films "The Love God?" and "The Maltese Bippy." He also continued to perform and record as a singer and pianist. Matt Dennis died on June 21, 2002, in Riverside, California, at the age of 88. He left behind a legacy of classic songs and recordings that continue to be enjoyed by music lovers around the world. Some of Matt Dennis's most famous compositions include "Angel Eyes," "Everything Happens to Me," "Violets for Your Furs," "Let's Get Away from It All," "The Night We Called It a Day," and "Will You Still Be Mine?" His songs have been recorded by many famous artists, including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Chet Baker, and Billie Holiday. Matt Dennis was known for his sophisticated and melodic style, which combined elements of jazz, pop, and classical music. He was a master of harmony and melody, and his songs often featured lush arrangements and intricate chord progressions. His music was popular with both jazz musicians and mainstream audiences, and his songs continue to be performed and recorded by artists of all genres. In addition to his work as a composer and performer, Matt Dennis was also a respected music educator. He taught at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles, and he wrote several instructional books on music theory and composition. Overall, Matt Dennis was a talented and versatile musician who made significant contributions to the world of popular music. His songs continue to be beloved by music fans around the world, and his legacy as a composer and performer will always be remembered.

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