DOROTHY DONEGAN (The greatest pianist you never heard) Jazz History #27

I was Dorothy's piano tuner in the 1990's in Los Angeles. She told me she would practice 8 hours per day. I'd never seen a piano with more wear and tear. She was amazing and a kind and gentle soul.

Dorthy Donegan was my friend! I met her when I was just 21 years old. I was a radio personality for KGFJ radio in LA. She was a guest on my syndicated show “Darcel in Hollywood!” I kept in touch with her and when I moved to NYC to go on the air at WWRL, Dorthy was playing in the Lounge in a hotel in Mid-town Manhattan (I believe it was the Sheraton.) I am also a singer & she invited me to sit in with her & sing! I sang, “A Song for You.” I remember her with fondness! She was very kind to me & gave me some solid advice regarding the music industry. It was a joy finding this video here on YouTube! A side note; I was born & raised in Buffalo, NY. My mother was a fabulous cook & had a greasy-spoon restaurant before I came along. Her claim to fame (she would tell me when I was just a kid) “ Cab Calloway used to love my food !” I’m sure he probably played at the “Colored Musician’s Club!” I’ve moved back home to Buffalo and live near this historic club! I sang there myself in 2018!

Well THAT was a treasure. I have never heard Boogie Woogie played with such playful authority and creativity. This was a revelation. And to think, because of her background billions of people never had a chance to hear her utter mastery of the keyboard Because of the cowardice of producers afraid to break out of their expected mold. When we suppress talent we all lose.

Damn. yet another hidden figure in American history. Thx for unloading. She deserves a wider appreciation.

There are a few jazz greats on the piano that stand above all the rest. Dorothy is among them. She is without a doubt one of the greatest jazz pianists that ever lived.

I was lucky enough to see Dorothy play at the Catalina Bar and Grill as a trio. After a particularly blistering performance (wish I could remember the song), a band member spoke to her and pointed to a dark corner in the back of the club. Next thing you know she’s saying, “Harry Connick Jr, is that you in the back? Get up here and play something.” Harry replied, “No way, I’m not following that!” They went back and forth in a good natured way and he finally relented, went up and played some solid jazz piano. But he knew, just like we all did, he was way out of his league.

You hardly ever, ever hear a jazz player play with this excellent level of evenness in both sound and rhythm. Wonderful control!

I saw Dorothy Donnegan perform at The Jazz Club in Gastown in Vancouver, BC Canada. Watching her play, sometimes her hands moved so fast over the keys, you could not see them. She was such an exciting performer and a classy lady.

My mother was a professional pianist who also played solo performances at Orchestra Hall in Chicago. She was white, but being a woman was enough to limit where her career could go. She played at a very, very high level, though. For a short time during the 1940's somebody put together an "All Women Piano Orchestra" with about a dozen pianists and my mother was the lead. It wasn't financially successful and didn't last long. But one of the other pianists was Catherine Bielefeldt who would be a lifelong friend. "Cathy" also became the first female manager at Steinway Hall in New York. And that was definitely breaing a barrier at the time. Anyway, orchestras back in the day were almost always all male except for the harpist seemed to always be female.

Thanks for introducing me to this extraordinarily talented pianist. Never heard of her before. How sad she isn’t better known.

WHY does nobody speak about this woman!?!? omg... she's out of this world!! I love it. Pure pure energy and talent

I learned something new tonight...I've NEVER heard of Dorothy Donegan, but after seeing ths video, I won't forget her. It's such a shame she didn't get the exposure she deserved over the years. Exceptional performances by her. Thanks for sharing this. I really enjoyed it.

So many skilled, talented and gifted musician from this Era that never got their proper recognition. She was AMAZING! Makes me proud of African Heritage 💚🖤❤.

I have been a music fan all my life, and a fan of the 30’s jazz. How come I haven’t heard of her until now? I just love her humor, her mastery of the instrument and her unique beauty.

She’s brilliant. The critics were clearly envious of her!

This lady definitely had some chops she made the piano 🎹 cry and sing at the same time thank you Dorothy Donegan God bless 🙏.

Saw her at jazz night at The Four Queens. She needed to be helped on stage but man oh man, when she sat and played, she could run a four minute mile. EPIC.

Wow, I am completely blown away by this! 😳😳😳 I had never heard of Dorothy Donegan before. She was a tremendous talent!!! It's a shame that she didn't receive more recognition during her lifetime. Now that I know about this incredibly talented lady, I certainly won't forget that she made a remarkable impact in history. Thank you so much for sharing. May she rest in peace and in power! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I was 18 or 19 in 1969 or thereabouts when I heard her play a smokin' boogie woogie on local public radio ahead of an announcement that she was playing at a local espresso joint. And I could take public transportation to go hear her! Live! High point of my young wet-behind-the-ears life!

How could a super talented pianist like this not have been incredibly famous the best I have ever heard.