Don Abney | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 10, 1923 Baltimore,Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | January 27, 2000(2000-01-27) (aged 76) Los Angeles,California |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Piano |
John Donald Abney (March 10, 1923 – January 27, 2000) was an Americanjazz pianist.[1]
Abney was born inBaltimore,Maryland. He studied piano andfrench horn at theManhattan School of Music.[2] He joined theUnited States Army where he played the French horn in the army band and earned the rank oftechnician fifth grade.
After returning from the army he played in ensembles withWilbur de Paris,Bill Harris,Kai Winding,Chuck Wayne,Sy Oliver, andLouis Bellson.[3] He had a sustained career as asession musician, playing on recordings forLouis Armstrong,Benny Carter,Oscar Pettiford,Ella Fitzgerald,Carmen McRae,Sarah Vaughan,Eartha Kitt, andPearl Bailey. He made a number of albums and 7" singles for the Music Minus One label in a rhythm section of jazz royalty includingJimmy Raney,Mundell Lowe,Kenny Clarke andOscar Pettiford while also playing on many recordings for more minor musicians and onR&B, pop, rock, anddoo wop releases.
After moving toHollywood, he worked as a musical director forUniversal Studios/MCA where he appeared as a pianist in the filmPete Kelly's Blues behind Ella Fitzgerald. Additional credits include recording and arrangements for the filmLady Sings the Blues. He toured withAnita O'Day in the 1980s. Early in the 1990s, he moved to Japan and toured there with considerable success, playing weekly at the Sanno Hotel in Tokyo. Upon his return to the United States on January 20, 2000, he died of complications fromkidney dialysis in Los Angeles, California. He was interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery, in Burbank, California and is survived by five children.
WithElla Fitzgerald
WithLouis Bellson
WithBenny Carter
WithHarry Edison{
WithCarmen McRae
WithOscar Pettiford
WithAl Sears
WithCarol Sloane
