David Dennis

Photo of David Dennis playing baritone sax

(a.k.a. The Professor)

saxophonist, poet, composer, mathematician, historian, teacher

On his latest album, Let It Go, David composed original musical settings for some his favorite poems by E.E. Cummings along with several of his own poems. The album features his readings of the poems along with his baritone sax playing and brilliant work by jazz trumpeter and sound engineer, Marko Polo.  The acoustic jazz horn sounds were combined with voice and synthesized arrangements to provide a broad range of moods and textures that move between traditional forms such as mambos, jazz ballads and Arabic grooves. The album is available on iTunes and at CDBaby.

David grew up with music, poetry and theater, both acting, playing music, building sets and painting.  His interest in the arts led him to study the history of music and painting, which led him eventually to mathematics.  Over the years David obtained multiple college degrees and awards in mathematics, logic, art history, philosophy and education finally obtaining an interdisciplinary doctorate from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.  He has lived mostly in the areas around Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, but he also spent several years at the University of Texas at El Paso as a professor spearheading a teacher education initiative for the National Science Foundation. His work involved the use of computer animations and the history of science and music to improve the mathematical thinking of teachers.  It was in El Paso that David returned his focus to saxophone playing, first with the legendary Texas tenor sax man, Art Lewis, and then with jazz trumpeter Marko Polo.

David now performs regularly in Southern California playing a variety of jazz classics, originals, Latin, and pop music combined with poetry and live computer animations. He can often be heard with his various partners: Marko Polo, Demetrius Houser, Karen Wilson, Larry Williams.

Songs on Let it Go

Plato Told Him
Lady in Green
Ivory Rose
Screaming at Angels
Let it Go
All the Girls
How to Continue
Not Until
Contact Info

909-883-0848

Cell: 909-496-4560

E-mail: david.dennis@earthlink.net

Upcoming Events

You can always find out where David Dennis (the Professor) is performing at lajazz.com; occasionally club owners will change the schedule, so it's advisable to call to confirm.