Jack Jennings, 91, of Mays Landing, NJ passed away peacefully at home on April 5, 2019 with his wife, Jayne, at his side.
Jack was born in Youngstown, Ohio, the only child of Michael and Martha Jennings. He moved to Brooklyn while in high school and later graduated from Manhattan School of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Percussion and a Master of Music in Education. He worked in the studio recording industry throughout his career between NY and LA as a percussionist appearing on a myriad of TV shows, movie soundtracks and commercial jingles. Jack played with a multitude of famous artists including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis and jazz greats Lionel Hampton, George Benson, Anita O’Day, Wes Montgomery and many more. He toured the US and Canada with Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. for a 1988 Rat Pack reunion tour and also played for years in the orchestra of the Broadway musical Cats. Later in his career, Jack pursued his love of traditional jazz and, with a number of accomplished musician friends, formed a jazz group. They performed for a number of years in North Jersey and then in South Jersey, after he and Jayne relocated to Cape May.
Having raised his family in Norwood, Jack was a long time member of Immaculate Conception Church in Norwood as well as St. Anthony’s Church in Northvale, serving many years as co-choir director of the adult and youth choirs with his wife, Jayne. Most recently they were member of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Mays Landing, NJ.
Although music was a large part of Jack’s life, his greatest joy came from his family. He is survived by Jayne, his best friend and wife of 58 years, children John, Mimi (Steve Benvenuti), Kerry (Dan Kelly), Paul, Mark (Rosella), grandchildren Isabel and Garret Benvenuti, Jacklyn, Brayden and Pierce Kelly along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019, 2:30 PM at Sacred Heart Church, 102 Park Street in Haworth, NJ. Donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.
Used to babysit for Mr and Mrs Jennings- Rest In Peace Jack
9-4-22
Jack was my drum teacher in the late 1950’s or very early 1960’s in Brooklyn NY. He was a fantastic musician who played Drums, Vibes, Marimba and Piano. I had not seen Jack again until I attended a Louis Bellson big band concert in the Sherman Oaks CA Gallaria in the early 1980’s. He was playing percussion in the band. I could not believe my eyes when I saw him. After the concert I went up to the stage and called out to him. He remembered me. We exchanged phone numbers and addresses. He had recently moved from New Jersey to Hidden Hills, CA (now a very exclusive gate guarded community where the Kardashians and other celebrities live) and was living with Jane in a house there on Hilltop Road that they were remodeling by adding an extension to the rear of the house for a music studio. Jane had a beautiful voice, comparable to Barbra Streisand, and if I remember correctly, also played the guitar? Jack and Jane were playing clubdates and weddings and Bar Mitzvahs. They invited me to join them after a rehearsal at their Hill Top Road house. We played some gigs at the exclusive Westlake Yacht club in Westlake California and else where. Jack was friends with Doc Severinsen (tonight show band leader) and drummer Ed Shaughnessy. One gig (I believe a wedding or a NBC party) included guests Johnny Carson and Tony Curtis (the latter who drove up in a vintage white Rolls Royce).
I loved Jack, he was a very bright, gentle and wonderful person. My Mom also adored him. G_d bless you Jack! I am crying as I read your obituary
Jane, if you should read this and choose to do so, you can contact me at grcpa@att.net