Martin Denny

Martin Denny (1911-2005) was an American pianist, composer and arranger, born in New York City and based in Honolulu from 1954. He is known as the father of exotica, a lounge style built on piano, vibes, percussion and imitated birdcalls, which he brought to a wide audience with the 1957 album Exotica and the hit single Quiet Village. Brought to Hawaii by Don the Beachcomber, Denny stayed on, forming his own combo in 1955 that went on to play at the Shell Bar in the Hawaiian Village on Oahu.