Mike LeDonne
Mike LeDonne | |
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![]() Denmark (2012) | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Michael Arthur LeDonne |
Born | Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S. | October 26, 1956
Genres | Jazz |
Instrument(s) | Piano, Hammond organ |
Years active | 1988–present |
Labels | Criss Cross, Savant, Double-Time |
Michael Arthur LeDonne (born October 26, 1956) is a jazz pianist and organist known for post-bop and hard bop. He has worked with Benny Golson since 1996 and performs under his own name all over the world.
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 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.[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 them 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), and served as an accompanist to Ernestine Anderson and Annie Ross."[1] In 1998 LeDonne began recording for Double-Time Records.[2]
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 recorded | Title | Label | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1988 | 'Bout Time | Criss Cross | With Tom Harrell (trumpet, flugelhorn), Gary Smulyan (baritone sax), Dennis Irwin (bass), Kenny Washington (drums)[3] |
1990 | The Feeling of Jazz | Criss Cross | With Tom Harrell (trumpet, flugelhorn), Gary Smulyan (baritone sax), Dennis Irwin (bass), Kenny Washington (drums)[4] |
1990 | Common Ground | Criss Cross | Trio, with Dennis Irwin (bass), Kenny Washington (drums)[5] |
1993 | Soulmates | Criss Cross | Sextet, with Ryan Kisor (trumpet), Joshua Redman (tenor sax), Jon Gordon (alto sax), Peter Washington (bass), Lewis Nash (drums)[6] |
1995 | Waltz for an Urbanite | Criss Cross | Quintet, with Steve Nelson (vibraphone), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Peter Washington (bass), Kenny Washington (drums)[7] |
1998 | To Each His Own | Double-Time | Trio, with Peter Washington (bass), Mickey Roker (drums)[8] |
1998 | Then & Now | Double-Time | Quintet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums);[9] released 2000 |
2001 | Bags Groove: A Tribute to Milt Jackson | Double-Time | Octet, 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)[10] |
2003 | Smokin' Out Loud | Savant | Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums)[11] |
2004 | You'll See! (Live at The Cellar) | Cellar Live | Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
2005 | Night Song | Savant | Trio, with Ron Carter (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)[12] |
2006 | On Fire (Live at Smoke) | Savant | Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums)[13] |
2007 | Five Live (Live at Smoke) | Savant | Quintet, with Jeremy Pelt (trumpet), Eric Alexander (tenor sax), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)[14] |
2008 | Let It Go | GoFour | Blue Duo, with John Webber; released 2013 |
2009 | The Groover | Savant | Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums)[15] |
2011 | Keep the Faith | Savant | Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums)[16] |
2012 | Speak (Live at The Cellar) | Cellar Live | Trio, with John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) |
2013 | I Love Music | Savant | Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums)[17] |
2015 | Awwl Right! | Savant | 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[18] |
2016 | That Feelin' | Savant | Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums); 3 tracks with guest: Vincent Herring (alto sax) added[19] |
2018 | From the Heart | Savant | Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums); 2 tracks with guest: Mike Clark (drums) added[20] |
2019 | Partners in Time | Savant | Trio, with Christian McBride (bass), Lewis Nash (drums)[21] |
As sideman
With Eric Alexander
- Gentle Ballads (2004) Venus
- The Battle (Live at Smoke) [with Vincent Herring] (2005) HighNote
- Gentle Ballads II (2006) Venus
- Gentle Ballads III (2007) Venus
- Lazy Afternoon: Gentle Ballads IV (2008) Venus
- Revival of the Fittest (2009) HighNote
- Friendly Fire (Live at Smoke) [with Vincent Herring] (2011) HighNote
- Live Encounter [New York All-Stars] (2018) Ubuntu Music
With Mike DiRubbo
- Keep Steppin' (2001) Criss Cross
With Chris Flory
With Benny Golson
- Remembering Clifford (1998) Milestone
- Brown Immortal (1997 [rel. 2000]) Keystone/Video Arts [Japan]
- Terminal 1 (2004) Concord
- New Time, New 'Tet (2009) Concord
- Horizon Ahead (2016) HighNote
With Wycliffe Gordon
- Boss Bones (2007) Criss Cross
- Cone and T-Staff (2009) Criss Cross
With Scott Hamilton
- Organic Duke (1994) Concord
With Michael Hashim
- A Blue Streak (1991) Stash
- Guys and Dolls (1992) Stash
- Multi Coloured Blue [a tribute to Billy Strayhorn] (1998) Hep
With Milt Jackson
- Sa Va Bella (For Lady Legends) (1997) Qwest/WB
With Clifford Jordan
- The Mellow Side of Clifford Jordan (1989–1991 [rel. 1997]) Mapleshade
With Hendrik Meurkens
- Cobb's Pocket [with Peter Bernstein, Jimmy Cobb] (2019) In+Out
With Alvin Queen
- I Ain't Lookin' at You (2005) Enja
- Mighty Long Way (2008) Enja
With Duke Robillard
- Swing (1986 [rel. 1988]) Rounder
With Scott Robinson
- Jazz Ambassador: Scott Robinson Plays the Compositions of Louis Armstrong (2004) Arbors
- Forever Lasting: Scott Robinson Plays the Compositions of Thad Jones (2007) Arbors
With Jim Rotondi
- Blues for Brother Ray [a tribute to Ray Charles] (2009) Posi-Tone
With Tad Shull
- Deep Passion (1990) Criss Cross
- In the Land of the Tenor (1991) Criss Cross
With Greg Skaff
- Blues For Mr. T (2003) Khaeon [note: reissued in 2004 as Ellington Boulevard on Zoho]
With Gary Smulyan
- Saxophone Mosaic (1993) Criss Cross
- Gary Smulyan With Strings (1996) Criss Cross
- The Real Deal (2002) Reservoir
- More Treasures (2006) Reservoir
- Smul's Paradise (2011) Capri
With Jim Snidero
- Standards Plus (1997) Double-Time
- Tippin' (2007) Savant
With Benny Waters
- Birdland Birthday: Live at 95 (1997) Enja
With Cory Weeds
- Big Weeds (2008) Cellar Live
- Up a Step: The Music of Hank Mobley (2012) Cellar Live
- Condition Blue: The Music of Jackie McLean (2014) Cellar Live
- Let's Groove: The Music of Earth Wind & Fire (2017) Cellar Live
With Laura Welland
- Dissertations on the State of Bliss (2004) OA2/Origin
With Saori Yano
- Sakura Stamp (2005) Columbia
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Kennedy, Gary W. (2003), LeDonne, Mike [Michael Arthur], Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J621000
- ^ a b c d e f Arcone, Alex. "Mike LeDonne". AllMusic. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ "Criss Cross Jazz 1033 CD". crisscrossjazz.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ "Criss Cross Jazz 1041 CD". crisscrossjazz.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ "Criss Cross Jazz 1058 CD". crisscrossjazz.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ "Criss Cross Jazz 1074 CD". crisscrossjazz.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ "Criss Cross Jazz 1111 CD". crisscrossjazz.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ Adler, David, R. "Mike LeDonne: To Each His Own". AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Adler, David, R. "Mike LeDonne: Then and Now". AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ 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) - ^ Yanow, Scott. Mike LeDonne: Smokin' Out Loud: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
- ^ Yanow, Scott. Mike LeDonne: Night Song: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
- ^ "Savant CD 2080". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ "Savant CD 2091". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ "Savant CD 2100". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ "Savant CD 2114". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ "Savant CD 2135". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ "Savant CD 2148". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ "Savant CD 2159". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ "Savant CD 2168". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ "Savant CD 2174". jazzdepot.com. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
External links
- 1956 births
- Living people
- American jazz pianists
- American male pianists
- Musicians from Bridgeport, Connecticut
- 20th-century American pianists
- Jazz musicians from Connecticut
- 21st-century American pianists
- 20th-century American male musicians
- 21st-century American male musicians
- American male jazz musicians
- Widespread Depression Jazz Orchestra members
- Double-Time Records artists
- Criss Cross Jazz artists