Results for "Mike LeDonne"

Mike LeDonne: Where There’s Smoke

by Bob Kenselaar
August 27, 2012

Mike LeDonne has more than made his mark in jazz over the years, on both piano and organ. One of the New York jazz scene's premier instrumentalists, he's long been a favorite of fellow musicians. “He is incredible," said the late Oscar Peterson, who once described how he would rush to hear LeDonne play every night ...

What Is This Thing Called Love

Featuring the music of Mike LeDonne
Duration: 5:02
July 31, 2012

Eric Alexander / Vincent Herring: Friendly Fire

by Jack Bowers
June 2, 2012

For those who long for the time when hard bop reigned supreme, Blue Note and Prestige Records were riding high, and no-holds-barred saxophone cutting contests and unscripted jam sessions were the order of the day, here's a sure cure for any lament that those days are lost and gone forever. From the opening notes of Friendly ...

The 11th Annual Jazz Cruise: January 29-February 5, 2012

by Larry Taylor
February 25, 2012

Tributes to saxophonist Benny Golson and pianist Oscar Peterson highlighted the 11th annual Jazz Cruise, January 29 to February 5, 2012. As well, stellar performances were turned in by an assemblage of over 80 musicians, onboard for the Holland America cruise of the Caribbean. The spacious Westerdam ship was christened in 2004 and is one of ...

Gary Smulyan: Smul's Paradise

by Dan Bilawsky
January 22, 2012

While the tenor saxophone is no stranger to organ group gatherings, its big brother rarely comes to the party. It's hard to say whether a lack of interest amongst baritone saxophonists, insufficient opportunities for such combinations, or a paucity of players capable of pulling it off is responsible for this issue, but Gary Smulyan won't stand ...

Gary Smulyan: Smul's Paradise

by Edward Blanco
January 17, 2012

Recognized as one of the premiere baritone saxophonist in jazz today, Gary Smulyan has long had an affinity for the classic jazz organ trios and on Smul's Paradise he finally pays tribute to the format joining forces with Mike LeDonne, a master of the Hammond B3 organ. Not since saxophonist Ronnie Cuber performed with Lonnie Smith ...

Gary Smulyan: Smul's Paradise

by Larry Taylor
January 14, 2012

A baritone saxophonist leading an organ trio is certainly a rarity; the results of Gary Smulyan's Smul's Paradise is, in sixties hip, a “gas." This slang seems especially appropriate here because the CD pays tribute to an often-overlooked organist, Don Patterson, who came on the scene in that decade. Fronting a quartet behind his big bari, ...

Keep the Faith

By Mike LeDonne

Label: Savant Records
Released: 2011
Track listing: The Backstabbers; Keep the Faith; Big John; The Way You Make Me Feel; Someday We'll All Be Free; Scratchin'; Waiting for You; Burner's Idea; Sweet Sweetie Dee.

Mike LeDonne: Keep the Faith

by Jack Bowers
November 1, 2011

Connecticut-born / New York-based Mike LeDonne, who divides his time these days between piano and organ, has begun to record more frequently on the Hammond B3, especially with his suitably named Groover Quartet which, according to Owen Cordle's liner notes to Keep the Faith, has been together now for more than a decade. And that's a ...

Mike Ledonne - Keep the Faith (Savant Records, 2011)

October 7, 2011

Organist and pianist Mike LeDonne (excellent interview here) has proven himself in a number of mainstream jazz situations, both as a leader and as a sideman. On this occasion he sticks to the Hammond B-3 Organ, accompanied by a fine coterie of musicians: Eric Alexander on tenor saxophone, Peter Bernstein on guitar and Joe Farnsworth on ...