John Donaldson’s Unity Plays the Music of Bheki Mseleku
John Donaldosn (p) Ian Price (ts) Tim Robertson (b) Tristan Banks (d)
John has been one of the British jazz scene’s most imaginative pianists for many years, winning much-deserved recognition in the 2008 British Jazz Awards. His quartet begins the Festival with a set of music by the tragically short-lived South African pianist/composer Bheki Mseleku, who lived and worked in Britain for many years and who was a close friend of John’s.
John Donaldson started played keyboards and piano in various bands in the 70s including a stint with 'Big Grunt'. Jazz gigs started when he was a student in 1978, being part of the Cambridge Modern Jazz Club’s resident trio along with Chucho Merchan and Nic France and backed visiting guest soloists in the city. In 1980 he won the prize for best soloist at the San Sebastian International Jazz Competition.
In 1982 he moved to California. He studied with Joe Henderson, played with Paul Contos, Stan Poplin, Kenny Stahl, Tim Jackson, Randy Masters, Larry Grenadier, Jeff Ballard, Donny McCaslin, Eddie Marshall, Kenny Wolleson, Ben Goldberg, Daniel Sabanovich and played gigs with notables including Eddie Henderson, Red Holloway, John Handy, Richie Cole, Paul Jackson, David Baker, Steve Turre, Laurindo Almeida.
Since returning to London in 1993 he has been active on the UK scene playing in groups led by Iain Ballamy, Art Themen, Clark Tracey, Alan Barnes, Don Weller, John Etheridge, Dick Pearce and Norma Winstone. He has also accompanied visiting soloists, Art Farmer, Conte Condoli, Freddie Hubbard, Buddy de Franco/Terry Gibbs, Scott Hamilton, Ingrid Jensen, Jon Gordon and co-lead the band 'Septpiece' with Dave Mattacks and Andrew Cleyndert.
In 2006 he was the winner of the piano catagory at the Marstons Pedigree British Jazz Awards. 'Live at the Appleby Jazz Festival' was on the Irish Times list of essential CD's of 2006.
Visit his website: http://www.johndonaldson.org/
Abbreviations: as alto sax; b acoustic bass ; bjo banjo; bsax bass sax; cl clarinet, ct cornet; d drums; eb electric bass; eg electric guitar; fl flute; flg flugel horn; g guitar; org organ; p piano : sousa sousaphone; t = trumpet; tr trombone; ts tenor sax; viol violin; voc voice.