Harry Dennis (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry Dennis
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| 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, also known as Harri, is a singer, songwriter, and producer from Chicago, United States. He was an important part of the very first generation of house music artists in the late 1970s and early 1980s. House music is a type of electronic dance music that became popular in clubs.
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Harry Dennis's Early Life
Harry Dennis grew up in Chicago and went to public schools there. When he attended Illinois State University, he studied drama and music. This is where he became very interested in writing songs and developing lyrics.
After graduating from college in 1982, Dennis returned to Chicago. He started going to many parties and met Robert Williams, who owned a famous nightclub called The Warehouse. This club was a popular spot for house music fans. At The Warehouse, Dennis became friends with important DJs like Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy. These connections helped him start his career as a lyricist in the house music scene.
Starting His Music Career
Dennis began recording music in 1983. His first single, "Donnie," was released in 1985. He then formed a group called The It with Larry Heard and Robert Owens. "Donnie" quickly became popular in Chicago's underground house music scene. Soon, it spread to the East Coast and was released worldwide in 1986.
Working with Trax Records
From 1986 to 1989, Marshall Jefferson asked Dennis to join Trax Records. Together, they created a group called Jungle Wonz. They recorded popular house songs like "Time Marches On" and "Jungle."
In 1988, Dennis, Heard, Owens, and Ron Wilson formed a group called Fingers Inc.. They released a song called "Distant Planet," which Dennis wrote and sang. Dennis also worked with Owens and Heard on another song called "Gallimaufry Gallery."
Collaborations and Albums
Between 1990 and 1991, Dennis wrote more house songs with Larry Heard. They recorded an album in London that included songs like "In This Place Called Nowhere" and "Brazilian Love Dance." In 1993, Dennis worked with Marshall Jefferson again to release "Bird In a Gilded Cage."
Later Music Career
After taking a break, Harry Dennis returned to music in 2005 with new songs.
While working on a new album, Dennis appeared on radio stations 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 another house music artist, Curtis McClain.
New Releases and Performances
Dennis has worked with important people in house music, such as Marshall Jefferson. 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 original song "The Jungle" and a new song called "Kiss the Sky."
In 2012, Dennis released another album, The Jungle Wonz: Deliverance. He was also interviewed on Chicago's Black Business Network. In 2013, Dennis wrote and released a new single called "No Matter."
In September 2014, Dennis and Larry Heard worked together again on an EP called The IT. This EP included two songs by Dennis: "Beauty in a Picture" and "Somebody Somewhere." Dennis performed at the Chosen Few Picnic in Chicago in 2016. In 2017, Dennis and Ron Trent released three more songs, including "Monterrey" by The IT.
Harry Dennis's Music
Singles
- 1986 – Donnie
- 1986 – The Jungle
- 1987 – Time Marches On
- 1988 – Distant Planet
- 1988 – Gallimaufry Gallery
- 1990 – In This Place Called Nowhere
- 1990 – Rainforest Serenade
- 1990 – Endless Journey
- 1993 – Bird in a Gilded Cage
- 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
