Biography

Denny Ilett stands out as a versatile and accomplished musician, seamlessly navigating a wide array of musical genres while maintaining his unique identity. Born into a musical family, Denny is a self-taught guitarist, vocalist, bandleader, composer, arranger, and teacher, whose passion for music has led him to explore jazz, blues, big band, contemporary classical, orchestral, rock, soul, funk, and psychedelia.

Throughout his career, Denny has collaborated with an impressive roster of renowned musicians. He has shared the stage with the legendary funk innovator Pee Wee Ellis, British conductor Charles Hazlewood, Will Gregory of Goldfrapp, Adrian Utley of Portishead, underground soul artist Lewis Taylor, Manfred Mann frontman Paul Jones, trumpet virtuoso Bobby Shew, and the incomparable New Orleans vocalist Lillian Boutté. His partnership with Boutté spanned over two decades, during which they toured globally, showcasing the rich musical heritage of New Orleans with Denny serving as her musical director.

In 2013, Denny co-founded the Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival, where he took on the role of artistic director. Under his guidance, the festival has brought world-class artists such as Dr. John, Maceo Parker, Madeleine Peyroux, Lee Konitz, and John Scofield to Bristol, while also shining a spotlight on the city's vibrant musical scene.

Denny's contributions to music extend beyond performance; he is heavily involved in arranging, conducting, and performing in large-scale orchestral projects. He also dedicates time to teaching at Bristol and Bath Spa universities, nurturing the next generation of musicians. His insights and expertise are shared through regular columns in Guitarist magazine and London Jazz News, along with educational content for JTC Guitar.

In 2018, Denny founded the Electric Lady Big Band, a 16-piece ensemble devoted to the music of Jimi Hendrix. The group has released two albums and achieved sold-out performances at prestigious venues like Ronnie Scott’s and various jazz festivals across the UK, including Cheltenham, Leeds, Swansea, and Bristol.

A lifelong admirer of big band and swing music, Denny also showcases his talents as a vocalist, performing the timeless classics of Frank Sinatra and Nat 'King' Cole. With accolades such as being described by Guitarist magazine as “a knockout guitarist, soulful and jazz-tinged,” Denny Ilett continues to leave an indelible mark on the music world through his multifaceted contributions and enduring passion for the art.