Musical celebration
to honor Denny

A musical tribute is planned for bandleader Martin Denny's funeral service at the Waikiki Elks Club Saturday.

Services for Denny, who died Wednesday at the age of 93, will begin at 10 a.m. and include performances of Denny's music by musicians including Lopaka Colon and Gabe Baltazar.

Martin Denny: Daughter says her father wanted a "big celebration and no tears"

About noon, Denny's ashes will be scattered in the ocean by his daughter, Christina.

"He wanted a big celebration and no tears," Christina Denny said. "He wanted musicians and singers and dancers."

While performing at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in the late 1950s, Denny began adding bird calls, jungle sounds, and exotic percussion sounds to his music.

Denny's 1958 recording of "Quiet Village" reached the top 5 of the Billboard pop charts and his first album "Exotica" launched a new genre of exotic lounge music.

In recent years, a revival of his music made him more popular than ever.

Attendees to the service are asked to wear some red, which was Denny's favorite color. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Live Music Awareness Martin Denny Fund for Aspiring Musicians.

Denny is survived by daughter Christina and sister Judith Kane.