Quiet Village

Musician Martin Denny dies at age 93
By Mike Gordon

Musician Martin Denny, the father of the influential genre of pop called "exotica," died yesterday at home in Hawai'i Kai. He was 93.

Although in fragile health for some time — his doctors told him in 2003 that he had only a year to live — Denny was active and performing until shortly before his death.

Denny created a hypnotic international sound that blended exotic elements — bird calls, croaking frogs, jazz rhythms, chimes and gongs. He once described it as a fusion of Asian, South Pacific, American jazz, Latin American and classical styles.

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In a 2003 interview on the eve of a tribute concert at the Hawai'i Theater, Denny mused on the renewed recognition his music was getting.

"You know, I'm happy the music's back, because I'm frankly tired of hearing the same old thing. Rap music. High-voltage rock 'n' roll," he scoffed. "What will kids today remember 20 years from now? There's hardly anything romantic or melodic. I think a whole lot of good music has been lost."

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Mar/03/br/br03p.html