Mike LeDonne

Michael Arthur LeDonne (born October 26, 1956) 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.

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.

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". 1990 The Feeling of Jazz Criss Cross Quintet, with Tom Harrell (trumpet, flugelhorn), Gary Smulyan (baritone sax), Dennis Irwin (bass), Kenny Washington (drums) 1990 Common Ground Criss Cross Trio, with Dennis Irwin (bass), Kenny Washington (drums) 1993 Soulmates Criss Cross Sextet, with Ryan Kisor (trumpet), Joshua Redman (tenor sax), Jon Gordon (alto sax), Peter Washington (bass), Lewis Nash (drums) 1995 Waltz for an Urbanite Criss Cross Quintet, with Steve Nelson (vibraphone), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Peter Washington (bass), Kenny Washington (drums) 1998 To Each His Own Double-Time Trio, with Peter Washington (bass), Mickey Roker (drums) 1998 Then & Now Double-Time Quintet, with Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); 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) 2003 Smokin' Out Loud Savant Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 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) 2006 On Fire (Live at Smoke) Savant Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2007 Five Live (Live at Smoke) Savant Quintet, with Jeremy Pelt (trumpet), Eric Alexander (tenor sax), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 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) 2011 Keep the Faith Savant LeDonne's Groover Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2012 Speak (Live at the Cellar) Cellar Live Trio, with John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2013 I Love Music Savant LeDonne's Groover Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums) 2015 Awwl Right! Savant LeDonne's Groover 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 2016 That Feelin' Savant LeDonne's Groover Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums); 3 tracks with guest: Vincent Herring (alto sax) added 2018 From the Heart Savant LeDonne's Groover Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums); 2 tracks with guest: Mike Clark (drums) added 2019 Partners in Time Savant Trio, with Christian McBride (bass), Lewis Nash (drums) 2020 It's All Your Fault Savant LeDonne's Groover Quartet (3 tracks), with a 17-piece big band added (5 tracks) 2022 The Heavy Hitters Cellar Music Group Sextet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Jeremy Pelt (trumpet), Vincent Herring (alto sax), Peter Washington (bass), Kenny Washington (drums) 2023 Wonderful! Cellar Music Group LeDonne's Groover Quartet; with guest: Vincent Herring (alto sax), plus a gospel choir 2023 Together Cellar Music Group Duo, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax) 2023 That's What's Up! Cellar Music Group 'The Heavy Hitters' sextet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Jeremy Pelt (trumpet), Vincent Herring (alto sax), Alexander Claffy (bass), Kenny Washington (drums) 2024 & 2004 Turn It Up! (Live at the Sidedoor) Cellar Music Group LeDonne's Groover Quartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Joe Farnsworth (drums)

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 Vincent Herring Night and Day (2015) Smoke Sessions

With Paul Brusger Waiting for the Next Trane (2014) SteepleChase

With Mike DiRubbo Keep Steppin' (2001) Criss Cross

With Chris Flory For All We Know (1988) Concord Word on the Street (1996) Double-Time For You (2007) Arbors

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 O Sole Mio! Music From the Motherland (2019 [rel. 2021]) Cellar Live

With Laura Welland Dissertations on the State of Bliss (2004) OA2/Origin

With Saori Yano Sakura Stamp (2005) Columbia