You know it's funny - I just picked up the Martin Denny album you have listed on vinyl.  Genres can be tough to figure out when you are in the middle of being creative - and it's nice to realize that my latest project at least, fits in somewhere. I appreciate that! I'm from Portland OR where there used to be a pretty great Jazz scene. Leroy Vinnegar was a friend. I'm mostly a composer these days, but in the 90s I was in a band that played Jazz inflected Pop - there was also Pink Martini and the Daddies. I'm really glad to be running into people much younger than myself who are after this sound - like hey yea catchy melodies and actual dynamics are fun and uplifting - how 'bout them apples? :)

I've played a lot of different musical styles, soul jazz is my usual go to, but I do have an ongoing exotica recording project called Congo Bongo. This group actually played a few live gigs in SF with two keyboardists and a bunch of drum machines.

Probably my favorite artist who gets the exotica tag is Les Baxter, especially his music in the early to mid 50s.

Great stuff I agree and he even used the Theremin! Soul jazz - does that include the Crusaders? I have a lot to learn about genres.