Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylavania, Denny began playing the saxophone at age twelve nd then began playing professionally when he was fourteen. At eighteen, he enrolled in Duquesne University’s Music School studying saxophone, composition and music education, and playing in their award winning Jazz Ensemble. But his advanced education came from sitting in at renowned jazz clubs—Crawford’s Grill and The Hurricane Lounge—with jazz greats such as Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Max Roach, Grant Green, and Jack McDuff and listening to the weekly performances of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly, Stanley Turentine and George Benson.On Denny’s birthday, he played his first gig with Stevie Wonder at Madison Square Garden [Sly and The Family Stone, Roberta Flack, and John Lennon were on the bill]. Shortly thereafter Stevie appointed Denny as his bandleader and for the next several years Denny6 toured and recorded with Stevie.Longing to be rooted in the culture and music of New York City and seeking to pursue his own music, Denny left Stevie Wonder. He quickly emerged as a sought-after New York City studio musician, composer and arranger. Denny played on over 400 albums, film scores and commercials, with such diverse pop artists as Stevie Wonder, John Lennon, Taj Mahal, The Supremes, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, Billy Preston, Dave Mason, Luther Vandross and Phyllis Hyman.In the 1980’s Denny developed himself as a composer and arranger, focusing on expanding and refining his own body of work at live performances. He also performed with Latin percussionist Ray Barretto, singer Etta James, and Blues guitarist Otis Rush. He regularly performed his compositions with his all-star bands in New York City clubs such as Birdland, The Village Vanguard, Mikells, The Village Gate, and The Bottom Line. He also headlined major tours of Japan and Europe, supporting his album of original compositions, “Loose Changeâ€.Denny’s sidemen included Kenny Kirkland, Markus Miller, Steve Jordan, Steve Gadd, Steve Ferrone, Richie Morales, Anthony Jackson, Will Lee, John Tropea, Hiram Bullock, Richard Tee, Dave Kakowski, Ben Parowski and many others. Randy Brecker was a frequent soloist.Denny has concentrated on scoring, producing and arranging films, videos and commercials for the last decade. He has been touring again in Japan and Europe and has just come off a successful string of tours with legendary drummer/singer Buddy Miles. Most recently Denny has been composing a jazz influenced symphony and jazz opera combining elements of all twentieth century musical genres.
Denny Morouse on saxophone playing with Stevie Wonder on Sessame Street.
