It has been my pleasure to work a great deal with Matt over the past few years not only in the classroom, but also on the bandstand with Ed Fast & Conga Bop, with pianist Don DePalma and vocalist Linda Ransom, and with my own quintet playing original compositions as well. Matt certainly has a very bright future. I am excited to hear where he and others of his generation take the music.
—Steve Davis
Donny Time: The Music of Don DePalma is a tribute album shining light on the legendary pianist from Hartford, Connecticut. The majority of the album was recorded after Don’s passing due to Covid in May of 2021. It features an all-star line up, all former band mates of Don, playing their hearts out on Don’s original compositions and arrangements.
The world-renowned trombonist Steve Davis, legendary vocalist Linda Ransom and saxophone extraordinaire Kris Jensen all tip their hats to the maestro on Donny Time. There are also a handful of young lions featured on this album including drummer Jonathan Barber, trumpet player Joshua Bruneua and guitarist Tony Davis, all of whom were mentored by Don. For extra flavor, percussionist Nelson Bello, drummer Curtis Torian and spoken word artist Alexis Roy, give “Donny Time” a unique sound that stands strong. Don even crashes the party himself on a few tracks salvaged from a stellar performance at the 2011 Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series in Bushnell Park, Hartford.
It is important to mention the producers of this beautiful album, trombonist Rosie Roy and bassist Matt Dwonszyk. They made it so all of the proceeds of Donny Time: The Music of Don DePalma goes to the DePalma Roy Scholarship Fund set up in Don’s memory. This scholarship is awarded annually to a high school music student attending Music College. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the album go to the DePalma Roy Scholarship Fund keeping Don’s music and spirit alive for generations to come. For more information or to make a donation, please visit thedepalmaroyscholarship.com.
The world-renowned trombonist Steve Davis, legendary vocalist Linda Ransom and saxophone extraordinaire Kris Jensen all tip their hats to the maestro on Donny Time. There are also a handful of young lions featured on this album including drummer Jonathan Barber, trumpet player Joshua Bruneua and guitarist Tony Davis, all of whom were mentored by Don. For extra flavor, percussionist Nelson Bello, drummer Curtis Torian and spoken word artist Alexis Roy, give “Donny Time” a unique sound that stands strong. Don even crashes the party himself on a few tracks salvaged from a stellar performance at the 2011 Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series in Bushnell Park, Hartford.
It is important to mention the producers of this beautiful album, trombonist Rosie Roy and bassist Matt Dwonszyk. They made it so all of the proceeds of Donny Time: The Music of Don DePalma goes to the DePalma Roy Scholarship Fund set up in Don’s memory. This scholarship is awarded annually to a high school music student attending Music College. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the album go to the DePalma Roy Scholarship Fund keeping Don’s music and spirit alive for generations to come. For more information or to make a donation, please visit thedepalmaroyscholarship.com.
For more information contact Scott Thompson Public Relations.
