Mike LeDonne
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Michael LeDonne (born 1956 in Bridgeport, Connecticut) is a jazz pianist known for post-bop and hard bop.
His parents ran a music store with his father also being a jazz guitarist. He played with his father at "gigs" from the age of ten. At 21 he graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music and moved to New York City. In 1988 he had his recording debut 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 - Benny Goodman, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Hutcherson, Art Farmer, Dizzy Gillespie, and others. He currently works 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 has made two recordings as a leader on organ - "Smokin' Out Loud" and "On Fire". He performs every Tuesday evening at Smoke Jazz Club in NYC.
"He is one of the most talented pianists of this era." - Oscar Peterson
