Mike LeDonne


Michael Arthur LeDonne 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. 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 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. 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 them 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 and Annie Ross." In 1998 LeDonne began recording for Double-Time Records.

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 leader/co-leader

As sideman

With Eric Alexander
With Mike DiRubbo
With Chris Flory
With Benny Golson
With Wycliffe Gordon
With Scott Hamilton
With Michael Hashim
With Milt Jackson
With Clifford Jordan
With Hendrik Meurkens
With Alvin Queen
With Duke Robillard
With Scott Robinson
With Jim Rotondi
With Tad Shull
With Greg Skaff
With Gary Smulyan
With Jim Snidero
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'