Denty Westlake
Improvisational Music
In conversation since 1991
Denty Westlake are an adventurous, expressive jazz ensemble rooted in improvisation, currently based in the North Carolina Triangle. Denty Westlake, who perform as a duo or larger ensemble, are Rob Denty, saxophone, formerly of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, and Paul Westlake, bassist and composer.
Paul and Rob began performing together in 1991 in Jacksonville, Florida, where they co-founded musical groups marking the beginning of their collaboration. The early 2000s brought them both to Chicago, where they found themselves deeply embedded in the thriving jazz scene. Over the years Denty Westlake have produced three albums: etched, Denty Westlake, and their most recent release, Recess, with Grammy-winning drummer Peter Erskine.
Rob Denty is a saxophonist and composer based in the Raleigh–Durham area. A Georgia native, he began playing saxophone at age 10 and spent 27 years building his career in Chicago before relocating to North Carolina in 2023. In 2001 he joined the Chicago Jazz Ensemble under the direction of William Russo, and later Jon Faddis.
He has performed with artists including Aretha Franklin, Branford Marsalis, Christian McBride, Joe Lovano, Johnny Griffin, Paquito D’Rivera, Clark Terry, Randy Brecker, and Phil Woods, and has appeared at the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Ravinia Festival, Symphony Center Chicago, Teatro Manzoni in Milan, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Denty has released the solo album Round and Round, recorded Duo Plus and Duo Plus Volume 1.5 with drummer Tim Mulvenna, and co-leads Denty Westlake with bassist Paul Westlake.
Paul, an undeniable traveler, has extensive jazz, funk, rhythm and blues, and island music experience. For years, Paul studied bass and composition with Harold Blanchard, composer of The New Earth Sonata.
Paul has performed with Harold Blanchard, Lynne Arriale, Jimmy Bruno, Ira Sullivan, Nat Adderley, and made guest ensemble performances with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.
Come listen.
Raleigh–Durham, North Carolina