Denny Termer

Dennis William ‘Denny’ Termer (born 1 October 1925) is an English pianist and accompanist. Born in London, England, Denny’s musical career started at the age of 15.

Termer met Stanley Watson who introduced him to Laurie Morgan whilst at Tottenham Technical College. Watson played guitar and Morgan drums Termer was learning piano so they got together and later found Don Rendell who had a battered old Alto Sax at the time^[1].

The war was on and it was normal practice to keep playing during an air raid. Which had its own unique, character building lessons, for a young musician.

A relative of Termer's, Hal Moss, violinist and impresario had a show on the road called Scandals and Scanties and when his musicians got called up he asked Termer, Watson, Rendell and Morgan to help out. ^[2] They were terrified but rose to the occasion and learned quickly as they went along.

Termer was eventually called up into the army which by this time he had been playing the theatres with Watson, Rendell and Morgan as The Rhythm Racketeers. ^[3] Watson, Rendell and Morgan went into U.S. Army camp shows. They used to send Termer cartons of cigarettes.

Termer's first job after the war was with Ken Turner at the Plaza Ballroom, Derby with Kenny Graham, tenor sax, Terry Brown, trumpet and Phil Seaman, drums. Needless to say it was a great band and Termer learned a lot from Graham about writing. From there he went with Duncan Whyte, Carl Barriteau, Nat Temple plus gig bands on the scene, doing society gigs.

Then taking a residence at the Stork Club for six years he had a trio. With Monty Babson, drums and Bill Bramwell, bass. It was a famous haunt for show people and they got to accompany such names as Danny Kaye, Billy Holliday, Pearl Bailey, Sarah Vaughan. You name it they all did a spot with them.

On leaving the Stork Club Termer free-lanced around but mainly he accompanied Diana Dors when ever she did cabaret. Also Marlene Dietrich, Matt Munro and his greatest personal thrill was playing for Judy Garland at the London Palladium, August 1960.

During the years Termer has done countless T.V and Radio broadcasts, shows, concerts, gigs and recording sessions. Including a track on the Melody Maker Jazz Poll Winners album 1957 with The Vic Ash Quintet ^[4] But far Too many to mention, a lot forgotten. But what was most important was how they were able to make a start at an early age because the war was on and also how they used to practise with Johnny Dankworth, Tony Crombie and Ronnie Scott in their teens. What a fantastic start to a lifetime musical career

References

1. ^ Laurie Morgan reminisces
2. ^ Don Rendell reminisces
3. ^ The Rhythm Racketeers
4. ^ Melody Maker Jazz Poll Winners album 1957 with The Vic Ash Quintet.

External links

• Melody Maker Jazz Poll Winners 1957 Album, Vic Ash Quintet track, Denny Termer piano
• Letter by Stanley Watson's brother Richard Watson
• Stanley Watson biog
• Don Rendell biog
• Laurie Morgan biog
• Picture of the Rhythm Racketeers

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Name	Termer, Derry
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