Biography

Denny Ilett stands out as a versatile and accomplished musician, seamlessly navigating genres while maintaining a distinct musical identity. A self-taught guitarist, vocalist, bandleader, composer, arranger, and teacher, Denny's musical explorations span jazz, blues, big band, contemporary classical, orchestral, rock, soul, funk, and psychedelia.

He has collaborated with a diverse range of renowned musicians, including funk legend Pee Wee Ellis, conductor Charles Hazlewood, Will Gregory (Goldfrapp), Adrian Utley (Portishead), soul artist Lewis Taylor, Paul Jones (Manfred Mann), trumpet virtuoso Bobby Shew, and New Orleans vocalist Lillian Boutté, with whom he toured globally for over two decades as musical director.

In 2013, Denny co-founded the Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival and has served as its artistic director, bringing stars like Dr. John, Maceo Parker, Madeleine Peyroux, Lee Konitz, and John Scofield to Bristol while championing the local scene.

Beyond performance, Denny is deeply involved in arranging, conducting, and large-scale orchestral projects. He teaches at Bristol and Bath Spa universities, contributes to Guitarist magazine and London Jazz News, and creates educational content for JTC Guitar.

In 2018, he founded the Electric Lady Big Band, a 16-piece ensemble celebrating the music of Jimi Hendrix. With two albums and acclaimed performances at Ronnie Scott’s and major UK jazz festivals, the group has earned national recognition.

A passionate performer of big band and swing music, Denny also showcases his vocal talents with interpretations of Sinatra and Nat 'King' Cole. Guitarist magazine describes him as “a knockout guitarist, soulful and jazz-tinged,” a fitting tribute to an artist whose multifaceted contributions continue to shape and inspire the music world.