Matt Dennis

Born to a vaudeville family in Seattle during 1914, Matt Dennis developed his piano skills early and secured a teenage position with Horace Heidt. He later relocated to Hollywood and found work in nightspots, supporting vocalists that included Martha Tilton, Merry Macs, and the Pied Pipers. Still associated with the Pipers when the group signed on with Tommy Dorsey, Dennis took on arranging, composing, and coaching duties for the bandleader. While serving in World War II, he contributed to radio broadcasts and prepared charts for Glenn Miller’s AAF Orchestra and additional ensembles. Working chiefly with lyricist Tom Adair, Dennis produced such well-known numbers as “Will You Still Be Mine?,” “Let’s Get Away from It All,” “Everything Happens to Me” (1941), and “Angel Eyes” (1953), along with “We Belong Together,” “We’ve Reached the Point of No Return,” and “You Can Believe Me.” He also cut sides for the Glendale, RCA, Jubilee, and Kapp labels. Into the 1960s he maintained an active presence in television, radio, and nightclub performances, having earlier supplied hit material for Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra and Frank Sinatra throughout the 1940s and 1950s.