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Tracks from His CD
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Billy Dennison takes the musical note and fashions it into a beautiful portrait just as artist, Renoir, did with the colors of his paint brush. Dennison's artistry wets the palate of the soul, striking a chord in his audiences that is unreachable by words. You have only to listen to his original music, a unique blend of classical with just the right touch of jazz, and the power of its spirit will embrace you. His primary training came in Detroit, Michigan, by classical pianist, Harold De Remer of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and theory/composition study with Austrian Professor, Robert Hernried. Following the Big Band era with Tommy Dorsey and Glen Gray, Dennison was the house band pianist at the famous Copacabana for five years. The Playboy Resort Hotels beckoned and he spent the next ten years as music director. Tony Bennett, Vic Damone, Margaret Whiting, Diahann Carroll, Mel Torme, and Joe Williams head a long list of performers that his orchestra accompanied. The last decade has included extensive travel via world cruises on the SS Rotterdam and the Royal Viking Sun. It was during this era that he felt the urge to compose. Influenced by Debussy, Favel and Delius, all noted for their impressionism, he has to date 22 originals. Many are musical dpitaphs or stories from those people he has loved and lost in his lifetime. There is a warmth to Dennison's music that sets it apart from the standard classical compositions. His latest piece, entitled "Sur La Mort D'une Princsse," is dedicated to the memory of Princess Diana. Currently, Billy Dennison is serving as pianist/conductor for Neapolitan singer, Jimmy Roselli as well as performing with his own self-contained chamber jazz ensemble entitled "Diversity". Records include a solo album of 18 piano originals which he calls his "black and white" version. These songs are being transcribed for a chamber ensemble as a "color version", featuring, flute, clarinet and strings. He also has two meditative albums released on Marguerite Music Inc., his company. Dennison is married and has three sons and three grandchildren. ## |
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