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. 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 (both 1988), performed with Charles McPherson (1992), James Moody (1992), Sonny Rollins (1995), and Benny Golson (late 1990s to the present), 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" (organ with guitar, drums and, tenor saxophone) 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 CD's for the Savant label as well as tour the world. He continues to split his time between the organ and the piano, releasing several #1 '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 leader/co-leader

As sideman

With Eric Alexander With Vincent Herring With Paul Brusger 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 With Cory Weeds With Laura Welland With Saori Yano