Joe Bonner

This article is about the jazz pianist. For the politician, see Jo Bonner.

Joe Bonner (born April 20, 1948) is a jazz pianist who is featured in The Bonner Party, a jazz quartet.

He was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina and studied at Virginia State College, but indicates he learned more by musicians he worked with. In the seventies he played with Roy Haynes, Freddie Hubbard, and Billy Harper, among others. He counts among his influences McCoy Tyner and Art Tatum, and is known for playing hard bop and modal jazz.

Discography

As leader

• Triangle (Trio Records, 1975)
• The Lifesaver (Muse Records, 1975)
• Angel Eyes (Muse Records, 1976)
• Parade (SteepleChase Records, 1979)
• Impressions of Copenhagen (Evidence, 1981)
• Devotion (SteepleChase, 1983)
• Suburban Fantasies (SteepleChase, 1983)
• Suite for Chocolate (SteepleChase, 1985) with Jesper Lundgaard
• New Life (SteepleChase, 1986)
• New Beginnings (Evidence, 1988)
• Monkisms (Capri, 2000)

As sideman

With The Bonner Party

• Lights Out (Akashic Records, 2001)

With Billy Harper

• Black Saint (Black Saint, 1975)

With Azar Lawrence

• Bridge into the New Age (Prestige, 1974)

With Pharoah Sanders

• Black Unity (Impulse!, 1971)
• Village of the Pharoahs (Impulse!, 1973)
• Elevation (Impulse!, 1973)
• Love in Us All (Impulse!, 1972-73)

With The Visitors

• Motherland (Muse Records, 1975)

External links

• The Bonner Party's site
• Artist direct