A dedicated faculty member from 1994 to 2021, Michael Denny (1959-2023), also known as Mike, taught Jazz Guitar, History of Jazz, Jazz Theory, Jazz Rep, and Improvisation most recently as a Senior Instructor. “In the short time I knew Mike, I personally found him to be a talented musician and a kind and generous person who loved his students,” Dean Sabrina Madison-Cannon said.
Michael working with students on the stage of Beall Concert Hall
Born in California, Mike’s family relocated to Eugene, Oregon, when he was 7 years old. His mother was a public-school music teacher in Eugene and she introduced him to the guitar when he was 10. As a student in South Eugene High School, Mike was a member of a cohort of gifted jazz student-musicians, many of whom built successful professional careers. His musical talents were noticed at an early age by prominent jazz saxophonist Sonny King (who had played in East Coast jazz bands, and toured in Europe, Africa, and Latin America), who hired Mike as a guitarist in King’s band.
Michael playing on the floor of band room in South Eugene High School
Mike’s performing career took him from Portland and Denver to New York City, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the City University of New York. Mike started his graduate studies at the University of Maryland and completed his Master’s of Fine Arts with emphasis in Music History at the University of Oregon (UO).
An overview of Mike’s professional associations includes performances with Mary Wells, Della Reese, Eartha Kitt, Buddy Miles, Clarence Wheeler, Nancy and Sonny King, Jim Pepper, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Carol Kaye, Larry Goldings, Joe Magnarelli, Paul Bollenback, John Hart, and Obo Addy. Mike also appeared in Leonard Bernstein’s Mass with the Eugene Symphony and at the Cabrillo Festival, both under the baton of Marin Alsop. He also performed several seasons with the Oregon Festival of American Music, including concerts with Dick Hyman, Michael Moore, Kenny Davern, Bill Watrous, Frankie Capp, Ruth Brown, Byron Stripling, Randy Sandke, Marvin Stamm, and Ken Peplowski. In addition, he worked steadily in the Northwest with his own groups and either as a sideman with Portland drum legend Mel Brown or in collaborations with the outstanding Hammond B-3 player and pianist Barney McClure.
Michael playing with Obo Addy
Michael recorded five CDs: Now…Here…This (with Rick Mandyck, Jeff Johnson, and John Bishop; 1997), Looking In (solo; 1998), Spot (with Barney McClure Trio; 2007), Get the Feeling (with Jessie Márquez; 2007), and Live at Laurelwood (with Mike Denny Trio; 2019).
Michael playing with Tyler Abbott
Michael Denny passed away on October 11, 2023 surrounded by his closest family and friends. His legacy will continue through his recorded music, the hundreds of students who took his classes at the UO and Lane Community College, his colleagues who held him in high regard, his friends who adored his music, and, most of all, his family who will forever think of him with a smile on their faces and love in their hearts.
The SOMD will be hosting a memorial service for Mike on April 6, 2024, from 1:00-3:00 pm in Berwick Hall at the SOMD.