Harry Dennis (musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Harry Dennis
Background information
Origin	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres	House
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1980s–present
Associated acts	The It, Fingers, Inc.; Robert Owens, Larry Heard, Frankie Knuckles, Ron Hardy, Marshall Jefferson, Curtis McClain

Harry Dennis (sometimes spelled Harri) is a talented singer and songwriter from Chicago, United States. He is known for his work in house music, a popular style of electronic dance music. Harry Dennis was one of the first artists to create house music in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Harry Dennis's Early Life and Music Start

Harry Dennis grew up in Chicago. He went to public schools there. Later, he studied drama and music at Illinois State University. This is where he became very interested in writing songs and lyrics.

After graduating in 1982, Harry Dennis returned to Chicago. He started his music career. He often went to parties and met Robert Williams, who owned a famous nightclub called The Warehouse. This club was a big spot for house music fans. At The Warehouse, Harry Dennis became friends with important DJs like Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy. These friendships helped him become a lyricist, someone who writes the words for songs, in the growing house music scene.

Harry Dennis's First Recordings

Harry Dennis began recording music in 1983. His first single, "Donnie," came out in 1985. He then formed a music group called The It with Larry Heard and Robert Owens. "Donnie" quickly became popular in Chicago's underground house music scene. It soon spread to other cities and was released worldwide in 1986.

From 1986 to 1989, Harry Dennis joined Trax Records. He worked with Marshall Jefferson, another important house music artist. They formed a group called Jungle Wonz. Together, they created popular house songs like "Time Marches On" and "Jungle."

In 1988, Harry Dennis, Larry Heard, Robert Owens, and Ron Wilson formed a group called Fingers Inc.. They released a song called "Distant Planet." Harry Dennis wrote the lyrics and sang on this track. He also worked with Owens and Heard on another song called "Gallimaufry Gallery."

In the early 1990s, Harry Dennis continued to write house songs with Larry Heard. They even recorded an album in London. This album included songs such as "In This Place Called Nowhere" and "Brazilian Love Dance." In 1993, Harry Dennis worked with Marshall Jefferson again. They released "Bird In a Gilded Cage."

Harry Dennis's Recent Work

After taking a break, Harry Dennis returned to music in 2005 with new songs. He appeared on radio shows like Chicago House Radio and WHPK 88.5 FM. He also performed live at different places in Chicago, including the Regal Theater. He often performed with his friend and fellow house music artist, Curtis McClain.

Harry Dennis has worked with many important people in house music. These include Marshall Jefferson and David Dee. In June 2011, Dennis and Jefferson released a new album called Jungle Wonz: The Jungle Sky EP. This album featured an updated version of their song "The Jungle." It also included a new song called "Kiss the Sky."

In 2012, Harry Dennis released another album, The Jungle Wonz: Deliverance. He was interviewed about his music on Chicago's Black Business Network. In 2013, he released a new single called "No Matter."

In 2014, Harry Dennis worked with Larry Heard again. They released an EP called The IT. This EP included two songs by Dennis: "Beauty in a Picture" and "Somebody Somewhere."

Harry Dennis performed at the Chosen Few Picnic in Chicago in 2016. In 2017, he released three more songs with Ron Trent, another member of The IT. These songs were "Monterrey," "Months of Mays," and "Black Magic Woman."

Harry Dennis's Music Releases

Harry Dennis has released many songs and albums throughout his career. Here are some of his notable works:

Singles

• 1986 – Donnie
• 1986 – The Jungle
• 1987 – Time Marches On
• 1988 – Distant Planet
• 1988 – Gallimaufry Gallery
• 1990 – In This Place Called Nowhere
• 1990 – Brazilian Love Dance
• 2011 – The Jungle (Remake)
• 2011 – Kiss The Sky
• 2013 – No Matter
• 2014 – Somebody Somewhere
• 2014 – Beauty in a Picture

Albums

• 1988 – Fingers Inc. (Another Side)
• 1990 – The It (On Top of the World)
• 2011 – Jungle Wonz: The Jungle Sky EP
• 2012 – Jungle Wonz: Deliverance
• 2014 – The IT/EP