Don Sickler

Don Sickler (born January 6, 1944) is an American jazz trumpeter, arranger, and producer. ^{[1] [2]}

In the 1980s, he set up a tribute band called Dameronia, with Philly Joe Jones, to play the music of Tadd Dameron.

He also worked extensively with Joe Henderson, a collaboration leading to four Grammy Awards. ^[1]

Sickler and his wife, Maureen Sickler, have been the co-owners of the Van Gelder Studio since 2016, when it was entrusted to Maureen after the death of Rudy Van Gelder. ^[3]

Discography

As leader

• The Music of Kenny Dorham (Reservoir, 1983)
• Night Watch (Uptown, 1995)
• Reflections (HighNote, 2002) ^[4]

With Dameronia

• To Tadd with Love (Uptown, 1982) with Philly Joe Jones
• Look Stop Listen (Uptown, 1983) with Philly Joe Jones
• Live at the Theatre Boulogne-Billancourt Paris (Soul Note, 1989 [1994])

As sideman

With Superblue

• Superblue (Blue Note, 1988) ^[5]
• Superblue II (Blue Note)

With Larry Coryell

• Inner Urge (HighNote, 2001)

With Meredith d'Ambrosio

• Wishing on the Moon (Sunnyside, 2004 [2006])

With Clifford Jordan

• Play What You Feel (Mapleshade, 1990 [1997])
• Down Through the Years (Milestone, 1991)

With T. S. Monk

• Take One (Blue Note, 1992)
• Changing of the Guard (Blue Note, 1993)
• The Charm (Blue Note, 1995)
• Monk on Monk (N2K, 1997)

With Freddie Redd

• Lonely City (Uptown, 1985 [1989]) – trumpet and arranger

With Ben Riley

• Memories of T (Concord Jazz, 2003, 2005 [2006]) – trumpet and arranger

With Claudio Roditi

• Claudio! (Uptown, 1985) – as arranger

With Charlie Rouse

• Social Call (Uptown, 1984) with Red Rodney – as arranger
• Soul Mates (Uptown, 1988 [1993]) featuring Sahib Shihab – as arranger

With Jack Sheldon

• Playing for Change (Uptown, 1986 [1997]) – flugelhorn and arranger

With James Spaulding

• Blues Nexus (Muse, 1993) – flugelhorn on one track
• Escapade (HighNote, 1999)

With Buddy Tate and Al Grey

• Just Jazz (Uptown, 1984) – as arranger

With Joe Thomas and Jay McShann

• Blowin' in from K.C. (Uptown, 1983) – as arranger

With Jack Walrath

• Gut Feelings (Muse, 1990 [1992]) – as conductor

With Cedar Walton

• Cedar Walton Plays (Delos, 1986)
• Roots (Astor Place, 1997)

With Frank Wess and Johnny Coles

• Two at the Top (Uptown, 1983) – as arranger

References

1. Carr, Ian; Fairweather, Digby and Priestley, Brian Rough Guide to Jazz Rough Guides, 2004 ISBN   978-1-84353-256-9 "Don Sickler" at Google Books
2. "DON SICKLER". November 10, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
3. "Keeping the Flame at Van Gelder Studio". downbeat.com. September 3, 2025. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
4. "Don Sickler | Album Discography | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
5. Superblue review, AllMusic