Bye Bye Boogie Dorothy Donegan 1987
Pianist Dorothy Donegan in Concert at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1987 With her are bassist Major Holly and drummer Oliver Jackson.
From the "Last Post"
The death of Dorothy Donegan this past spring (May 19, age 76, Los Angeles) was lamentably largely ignored by the press and the jazz media as they did regrettably throughout most of the pianist's lifetime. The AP wire did give the indomitable artist lead preference in its daily obits round-up and the New York Times, with its promise of "All the News That's Fit to Print," gave Dorothy her due, including a one-column candid photo of the pianist in performance, and jazz author Chip Deffaa warmly recalled her "strength, energy, and imagination" in his New York Post column.
Interestingly, though, Times jazz scribe Ben Ratliff quoted his noted jazz predecessor, John S. Wilson's coverage of a Town Hall appearance in 1971 citing that '"Ms. Donegan showed a technical virtuosity that could be compared only to that of Art Tatum and a swinging drive that might be equaled by Mary Lou Williams." Oddly omitted was the Wilson quote that Donegan carried ever closest to her heart, ". . . She is potentially the greatest jazz pianist playing today." A reflection on this comment comes into focus with Chip Deffaa recalling in his obit, "She was probably the only jazz artist who, in the 1990's, could somehow satisfy the very different audiences of the Village Vanguard (the high temple of jazz purism) and the Tavern on the Green (the glitzy tourist nightspot) - both of which she loved."
We were great friends and I miss her everyday. I refer to her constantly and I challenge anyone who has not heard of her to question their understanding of jazz. She was as Leonard Feathers has written the Jazz pianist of the 20th century. Yes and that includes all the big boys. Another Black legend ignored by her Mother country. I sang with her at the Play Boy Jazz Fesiival in 1996. I have never seen or heard the performance. If anyone knows where I could get a copy, please make my year.
saveourselvespc 1 year ago
Awesome feedback, this is my cousin, and I was too young to really understand what she was doing, but I used to go to shows, and watch her.. It's awesome to read peoples memories of her, and get a feel for all that she's a coomplished.
637430 1 year ago
In th elate 50's Birdland used to send me to the Embers Club, where Dorothy Donagan played. Awesome ...... At the time M&M concessions owned lots of clubs and restaurants which was run in a tiny back room behind the stage at Birdland.
Anon5K 2 years ago
I was there. Dorothy was wearing two or three wigs
clitomaniac 2 years ago
Talk about having the 'feel' and incredibly fluid technique.
Some players would give almost anything to be able to be this good.
What a treat to find Dorothy and some of the videos of her posted on good old youtube!
starboy288 2 years ago
Yeaaaaaaah!!! she got the point
johnsel2006 2 years ago
This was Dorothy. She was so great and we will never forget the hours she gave us...
RIP DD
Divine6 2 years ago
wow - genius - thank you
djsrob 2 years ago
Fabulous video!! Thanks for posting it. Where did it come from?
brightonmusic 2 years ago