Mike LeDonne

Mike LeDonne
Birth name Michael LeDonne
Born (1956-10-26) October 26, 1956
Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
Genres Jazz
Instruments Piano, Hammond organ
Years active 1988–present
Labels Criss Cross, Savant

Michael LeDonne (born Oct 26, 1956 in Bridgeport, Connecticut) 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.

LeDonne is also known as one of the leading players of the Hammond B3 organ. He was nominated for Best Keyboards 2012 but the Jazz Journalists Association and won the Downbeat critic's poll for "Rising Star" on organ. Since 2001 he has performed every Tuesday evening at Smoke Jazz Club in New York City. Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson described LeDonne as "one of the most promising and talented pianists of this era."

Early life

His parents ran a music store and his father was a jazz guitarist. His father started booking him gigs from the age of ten. At 21 he graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music and moved to New York City, playing with the Widespread Depression Jazz Orchestra.

Career

LeDonne made his recording debut in 1988 and joined Milt Jackson's Quartet. He performed with the band for 11 years and eventually became the Quartet's musical director. He has also worked with many of the masters of jazz history such as Benny Goodman, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Hutcherson, Art Farmer, Dizzy Gillespie.

Selected discography

As a leader

As a sideman

With Eric Alexander

With Chris Flory

With Benny Golson

With Wycliffe Gordon

With Scott Hamilton

With Michael Hashim

With Milt Jackson

With Alvin Queen

With Duke Robillard

With Scott Robinson

With Jim Rotondi

With Tad Shull

With Gary Smulyan

With Jim Snidero

With Benny Waters

With Cory Weeds

With Laura Welland

With Saori Yano

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