Mike LeDonne


Michael Arthur LeDonne 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.
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Early life

LeDonne was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on October 26, 1956. His parents ran a music store. His father was a jazz guitarist, and LeDonne started performing locally around the age of ten. He also had lessons with John Mehegan for four years. 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.

Later life and career

LeDonne left the Widespread Depression Jazz Orchestra in 1981 and toured the UK with Panama Francis and the Savoy Sultans 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. He was also part of Benny Goodman's Sextet in 1982–83.
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. His first recording as a leader was in 1988. It was released by Criss Cross, and LeDonne went on to record several more albums for this label in the 1990s. "As a sideman he played in the Art Farmer–Clifford Jordan Quintet and toured Paris with Grady Tate, performed with Charles McPherson, James Moody, Sonny Rollins, and Benny Golson, and served as an accompanist to Ernestine Anderson, Annie Ross and Mary Stallings." In 1998, LeDonne began recording for Double-Time Records. In 2000, LeDonne started his "Groover Quartet" 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 CDs for the Savant label as well as tour the world. He continues to split his time between the organ and the piano, releasing several number one '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.

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".

Discography

As sideman

With Eric Alexander
  • Gentle Ballads Venus
  • The Battle HighNote
  • Gentle Ballads II Venus
  • Gentle Ballads III Venus
  • Lazy Afternoon: Gentle Ballads IV Venus
  • Revival of the Fittest HighNote
  • Friendly Fire HighNote
  • Live Encounter Ubuntu Music
With Vincent Herring
With Paul Brusger
  • Waiting for the Next Trane SteepleChase
With Mike DiRubbo
  • Keep Steppin' Criss Cross
With Chris Flory
With Benny Golson
With Wycliffe Gordon
  • Boss Bones Criss Cross
  • Cone and T-Staff Criss Cross
With Scott Hamilton
  • Organic Duke Concord
With Michael Hashim
With Milt Jackson
With Clifford Jordan
With Hendrik Meurkens
  • Cobb's Pocket In+Out
With Alvin Queen
With Duke Robillard
With Scott Robinson
With Jim Rotondi
With Tad Shull
With Greg Skaff
  • Blues For Mr. T Khaeon
With Gary Smulyan
With Jim Snidero
  • Standards Plus Double-TimeTippin' Savant
With Benny Waters
  • Birdland Birthday: Live at 95 Enja
With Cory Weeds
With Laura Welland
  • Dissertations on the State of Bliss OA2/Origin
With Saori Yano