Mike LeDonne

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Mike LeDonne
Mike-LeDonne DSC00954.jpg
LeDonne in Denmark, 2012
Background information
Birth nameMichael Arthur LeDonne
Born (1956-10-26) October 26, 1956 (age 68)
Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
Genres Jazz
Instruments
Years active1988–present
Labels

Michael Arthur LeDonne (born October 26, 1956) is an American jazz pianist, organist, composer, and educator. Having played with Benny Goodman, Milt Jackson, and Benny Golson in various stages of his career, he now leads several of his own groups and frequently performs around the world.

Contents

Early life

LeDonne was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on October 26, 1956. [1] His parents ran a music store. [2] His father was a jazz guitarist, and LeDonne started performing locally around the age of ten. [1] He also had lessons with John Mehegan for four years. [1] After graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music where he studied with Jaki Byard in 1978, he moved to New York City and joined the Widespread Depression Jazz Orchestra. [1]

Later life and career

LeDonne left the Widespread Depression Jazz Orchestra in 1981 and toured the UK with Panama Francis and the Savoy Sultans [1] Back in New York, LeDonne became the house pianist at Jimmy Ryan's, where he played with some big names in jazz during 1981–83. [1] [2] He was also part of Benny Goodman's Sextet in 1982–83. [1]

LeDonne joined Milt Jackson's Quartet around 1987; he also composed for and recorded with the band and eventually became musical director. He stayed with this quartet until Jackson's death in 1999. [1] [2] His first recording as a leader was in 1988. [2] It was released by Criss Cross, and LeDonne went on to record several more albums for this label in the 1990s. [2] "As a sideman he played in the Art Farmer–Clifford Jordan Quintet and toured Paris with Grady Tate (both 1988), performed with Charles McPherson (1992), James Moody (1992), Sonny Rollins (1995), and Benny Golson (late 1990s to the present), and served as an accompanist to Ernestine Anderson, Annie Ross and Mary Stallings." [1] In 1998, LeDonne began recording for Double-Time Records. [2] In 2000, LeDonne started his "Groover Quartet" (organ with guitar, drums and, tenor saxophone) band as the result of a weekly Tuesday night gig at the Smoke Jazz Club in New York City. This brought his organ playing to prominence and the band went on to record many CD's for the Savant label as well as tour the world. He continues to split his time between the organ and the piano, releasing several #1 'jazz chart' recordings as well as winning the Downbeat Rising Star Poll and being nominated for Best Keyboards by the Jazz Journalist Association in 2012. As a sideman, he played organ with Lou Donaldson, George Coleman and David "Fathead" Newman.

A devoted supporter of promoting the inclusion, awareness, and visibility of people with disabilities, LeDonne organized the inaugural Disability Pride march in New York City in 2015. [3]

Playing style

Grove wrote: "A level of understatement in LeDonne's style reflects the playing of Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan. Predominantly a bop pianist, he introduces a strong left hand into his work and reveals an understanding of swing piano playing". [1]

Discography

As leader/co-leader

Year recordedTitleLabelNotes
1988 'Bout Time Criss Cross Quintet, with Tom Harrell (trumpet, flugelhorn), Gary Smulyan (baritone sax), Dennis Irwin (bass), Kenny Washington (drums) [4]
1990The Feeling of JazzCriss CrossQuintet, with Tom Harrell (trumpet, flugelhorn), Gary Smulyan (baritone sax), Dennis Irwin (bass), Kenny Washington (drums) [5]
1990Common GroundCriss CrossTrio, with Dennis Irwin (bass), Kenny Washington (drums) [6]
1993SoulmatesCriss CrossSextet, with Ryan Kisor (trumpet), Joshua Redman (tenor sax), Jon Gordon (alto sax), Peter Washington (bass), Lewis Nash (drums) [7]
1995Waltz for an UrbaniteCriss CrossQuintet, with Steve Nelson (vibraphone), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Peter Washington (bass), Kenny Washington (drums) [8]
1998To Each His Own Double-Time Trio, with Peter Washington (bass), Mickey Roker (drums) [9]
1998Then & NowDouble-TimeQuintet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); [10] released 2000
2001Bags Groove: A Tribute to Milt JacksonDouble-TimeOctet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Steve Davis (trombone), Steve Wilson (alto sax, soprano sax), Jim Snidero (alto sax, flute), Steve Nelson, vibes), Bob Cranshaw (bass), Mickey Roker (drums) [11]
2003 Smokin' Out Loud Savant Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums) [12]
2004You'll See! (Live at the Cellar)Cellar LiveQuartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2005 Night Song SavantTrio, with Ron Carter (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) [13]
2006On Fire (Live at Smoke)SavantQuartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums) [14]
2007Five Live (Live at Smoke)SavantQuintet, with Jeremy Pelt (trumpet), Eric Alexander (tenor sax), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) [15]
2008Let It GoGoFourBlue Duo, with John Webber; released 2013
2009The GrooverSavantQuartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums) [16]
2011Keep the FaithSavantLeDonne's Groover Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums) [17]
2012Speak (Live at the Cellar)Cellar LiveTrio, with John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2013I Love MusicSavantLeDonne's Groover Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums) [18]
2015Awwl Right!SavantLeDonne's Groover Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums); 3 tracks with guest: Jeremy Pelt (trumpet) added, 2 tracks with guest: Bob Cranshaw (bass) added [19]
2016That Feelin' SavantLeDonne's Groover Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums); 3 tracks with guest: Vincent Herring (alto sax) added [20]
2018From the HeartSavantLeDonne's Groover Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums); 2 tracks with guest: Mike Clark (drums) added [21]
2019Partners in TimeSavantTrio, with Christian McBride (bass), Lewis Nash (drums) [22]
2021It's All Your FaultSavantLeDonne's Groover Quartet (3 tracks), with a 17-piece big band added (5 tracks)
2023The Heavy HittersCellar Music GroupSextet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Jeremy Pelt (trumpet), Vincent Herring (alto sax), Peter Washington (bass), Kenny Washington (drums)
2024Wonderful!Cellar Music GroupLeDonne's Groover Quartet; with guest: Vincent Herring (alto sax), plus a gospel choir
2024TogetherCellar Music GroupDuo, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax)
2024That's What's Up!Cellar Music Group'The Heavy Hitters' sextet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Jeremy Pelt (trumpet), Vincent Herring (alto sax), Alexander Claffy (bass), Kenny Washington (drums)
2024Turn It Up! (Live at the Sidedoor)Cellar Music GroupLeDonne's Groover Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums)

As sideman

With Eric Alexander

With Vincent Herring

With Paul Brusger

With Mike DiRubbo

With Chris Flory

With Benny Golson

With Wycliffe Gordon

With Scott Hamilton

With Michael Hashim

With Milt Jackson

With Clifford Jordan

With Hendrik Meurkens

With Alvin Queen

With Duke Robillard

With Scott Robinson

With Jim Rotondi

With Tad Shull

With Greg Skaff

With Gary Smulyan

With Jim Snidero

With Benny Waters

With Cory Weeds

With Laura Welland

With Saori Yano

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Kennedy, Gary W. (2003), LeDonne, Mike [Michael Arthur], Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J621000
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Arcone, Alex. "Mike LeDonne". AllMusic . Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Song and Daughter Inspire Plans to Celebrate People With Disabilities". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Criss Cross Jazz 1033 CD". crisscrossjazz.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Criss Cross Jazz 1041 CD". crisscrossjazz.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Criss Cross Jazz 1058 CD". crisscrossjazz.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Criss Cross Jazz 1074 CD". crisscrossjazz.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Criss Cross Jazz 1111 CD". crisscrossjazz.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  9. ↑ Adler, David, R. "Mike LeDonne: To Each His Own". AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ Adler, David, R. "Mike LeDonne: Then and Now". AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ↑ Adler, David, R. "Mike LeDonne: Bags Groove: A Tribute to Milt Jackson". AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ↑ Yanow, Scott. Mike LeDonne: Smokin' Out Loud: Review at AllMusic . Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  13. ↑ Yanow, Scott. Mike LeDonne: Night Song: Review at AllMusic . Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Savant CD 2080". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Savant CD 2091". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Savant CD 2100". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Savant CD 2114". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Savant CD 2135". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Savant CD 2148". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Savant CD 2159". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Savant CD 2168". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Savant CD 2174". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
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