DOROTHY DONEGAN (The greatest pianist you never heard) Jazz History #27
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 พ.ค. 2022
- You may never have heard of pianist Dorothy Donegan, and after you watch this video you’ll wonder why. People are blown away when they encounter her multi-genre virtuosity and unabashed high spirits. A spectacular player whose ability far surpassed her public recognition, there is irony and satisfaction in seeing this video consistently rank among the most popular in the series. The comments say it all. Hail Dorothy Donegan!
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The Jazz History series is a video adaptation of a PowerPoint presentation used to teach a university course. It traces the roots of jazz from Ragtime at the turn of the 20th century to jazz-rock fusion at the end of the 1960s. You’ll find a lot more videos like this one in the JAZZ HISTORY playlist on this channel.
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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.
Rest in paradise, Dorothy.
✨
!!❤
I’m sorry, but that is very hard to believe. TH-cam.
This may sound like an odd question but I am being sincere. Do you remember the brand of piano she had?
I’d bet you’re a good pianist and you’re definitely a GOLDEN EAR! 🌟👑 Thanks! 🙏
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 TH-cam! 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!
Glad this video brought back lovely memories--thanks for sharing!
Cab was born in Rochester NY pretty close to Buffalo.
Wonderful experience! Thanks for sharing!
That is so awesome! Do you still perform?
brillaint background to a great vid.. thank you
Damn. yet another hidden figure in American history. Thx for unloading. She deserves a wider appreciation.
I'm doing my part!
She sure does!
My sentiments exactly!
Que increíble pianista muy escondida
@@chasesanborn You are a scholar and a gentleman.
You hardly ever, ever hear a jazz player play with this excellent level of evenness in both sound and rhythm. Wonderful control!
Many, many, many hours of practice went into that.
@@chasesanborn - just like everybody
Thanks for introducing me to this extraordinarily talented pianist. Never heard of her before. How sad she isn’t better known.
I knew a lot of people would have that reaction.
@@chasesanborn, I was lucky enough to see her twice when she came to Boston Ma. D.D. had a big heart and allowed this person from the audience to sing with her, unfortunately for Dorothy, the disparity between the two was readily apparent. Donegan however played as hard as any pianist I have seen, including O.P.
@@tomkelly4336 That's where I first saw her. I knew I had to hear her again and did.
@@roberthelms1737 I am glad you did, I went back the second night to hear her again. D.D. was a monster of a pianist!
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.
Thus the title. Thanks for the comment!
Towards the end of the video she pulls a Maurice Rocco!
🇺🇲⌚️
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.
Treasure is a good word for her.
WOW . . . She is a Universal Treasure! 🎉
Well I did. I heard her live on a couple of occasions.
That's for darn sure. So sad for us and all the unsung heroes. She is amazing!!
WWwWOOooo
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.
You are lucky!
you’re one lucky person to have seen her play. Wow.
Holy crap!!!!!!!
@@chasesanborn If My Child aspired to piano; I wouldn't let them see this until they learned some. Too much to handle.
That's one way to put it. :)
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.
Her appearance on Marion McPartland's show gives some idea of what it's like to go toe to toe with her.
Oscar Peterson said that he was in awe of her abilities.
@robertlopez8288 I love stories like this! Thanks for sharing.
Love that story!
Brings a tear to my eye to hear that story. The student always knows who the master is, even when that person may be in decline. Which she obviously wasn't!
Man that woman could play!! The piano is like a limb for her, it's part of her!
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 💚🖤❤.
Duly so.
I thought she was American.
@@ezekielbrockmann114 Dorothy Donegan was African American.
WHY does nobody speak about this woman!?!? omg... she's out of this world!! I love it. Pure pure energy and talent
At least this video has sparked a comment or two...
DAY-UMMM!!! How have I never heard of this woman before???!!
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.
The title speaks to your point. It's never too late to discover something or someone new!
I concur. I tell you, between racism and sexism, it’s a bloody wonder we’re still a nation. This fantastic artists name should be just as common as Ella, Dizzy, Basie and Elvis. Unfortunately, small bigoted men have robbed so many of us regular folks of opportunities and life experiences for far too long. What a precious national treasure many of us missed out on.
@@mxfxdlg I dunno. You'd need some stats to back that up. African Americans have long been over represented in jazz, probably because of a differing cultural inclination towards the genre that would be difficult to unpack. Look at how few black country singers there were/are. Is that racism or differing cultural inclinations?
As for being held back for being a woman, you would have to account for the likelier explanation that fewer women became so proficient in the art as men - possibly because men always have more to prove. This is because a man with skills becomes significantly more eligible, whereas, when it comes to dating, a woman with skills is just an intimidating woman with skills. Harsh, but true.
Where the stats would help is to tell us the proportion of highly talented male jazz pianists who remained unsung compared to the proportion of talented female jazz pianists who, like Dorothy, remained unsung.
Tbh, we have little chance of ever knowing the truth of those hidden statistics.
Imo, from watching her delightful 1996 performance, she probably did inject too much quirkiness for producers to know what to do with her.
I loved her performance though - utterly joyous. She seems like a most interesting soul.
@@cnrspiller3549What an inane comment. You should have stopped at "I dunno".
@@DanSharpIBD funny. Your arguments are lacking in substance, however.
What exactly is wrong with my reasoning?
This lady definitely had some chops she made the piano 🎹 cry and sing at the same time thank you Dorothy Donegan God bless 🙏.
Amen!
Dorothy plays with her entire body and commands undivided attention.
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.
Glad to hear that!
I'm just now (at 75) seeing this video and the story of Dorothy Donegan. Why? Why was I not given the chance to know about Dorothy Donegan when I was younger. Why just now? And so it goes with those narrow-minded music industry bosses back in the day and maybe even today too.
Dean
@@dean3434Those narrow minded bosses are the reason I left my music career behind in 1981.
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!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Amen to that.
She’s brilliant. The critics were clearly envious of her!
So should we all be.
@@chasesanborn Haha! Amen. Thank you for preparing this informative history lesson which is, for me, a first intro to the delightful Ms. Donegan. Even as some state leaders seek to teach us less, thank you for trusting us enough to teach us MORE!
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!
What a great experience and memory!
Wow!! This selection shows Dorothy’s deep knowledge, extensive practice, and versatility.
She was truly all those things.
How could a super talented pianist like this not have been incredibly famous the best I have ever heard.
Unfortunately it is not an uncommon situation, especially for women in jazz.
I watched Ken Burns Jazz documentary during Covid. I don’t recall Dorothy Donegan is mentioned. What a gem slipped through the net!😮
Any jazz history series, including the one on this channel has to overlook many important artists. Dorothy Donegan didn't change the face of jazz the way most of the other artists I showcase did, but she is certainly talent deserving wider recognition, and ironically this video has been watched more than any other, many times over. So at least around here, she has gotten her due!
She's also not mentioned in Leonard Feather's Encyclopedia of Jazz (1960), supposedly the definitive book on jazz history up to that point. Feather also forgot Stump Evans, Bill Johnson, Bill Rank, Jimmy Palau, Steve Brown, Charlie Green, Ed Cuffee, Jimmy O'Bryant, Joe Robichaux, Greeley Walton, Johnny Russell, Henry Ragas and numerous other luminaries.
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.
Love it.
Wow it sounds like an amazing experience. It reminded me when i saw Barry Harris in Madrid and the same happened. Had to be carried to the stage but when he started playing i was baffled. Such a privilege to see these legends live.
@hugomolinaOG it was beyond amazing. Jazz night at the Four Queens was hosted by Alan Grant, a legend in NYC jazz radio. Every Monday night, an amazing act played 3 sets, all of them legends, some well known, most not. Corky Hale was so good we stayed all night. Yes, I had never heard of her either. DD was the most shocking. The struggle to get on stage followed by the power of her playing, was simply epic. Corporate America got rid of jazz night and eventually the free lounge acts. The once great city has turned to Corporate shot. At least I have musical memories. Yes, 30 years later, I remember like it was yesterday
I do not have words. All I can do is give a thumbs to these comments here before me. Thank you for sharing the talent of this precious woman. What a gift she was given.
And a thumbs up to you for adding your voice!
I discovered her a few years ago by accident. Dorothy was wonderful. Completely unique and so underrated. Can only imagine that seeing her live would have been a very entertaining experience.
A number of people in the comments had that experience.
Thank you for letting her excellent music speak for itself.
Which it does.
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.
It was (and still is, hopefully to a lesser degree) an uphill climb for women in jazz or classical.
Man slammer. Men worked for a living caught buffalo died in wars & ships in war. Since women ,& their black pimps got control 30 % wild bees extinct.Ocesn temp in Keys FL today was 101°. 20° above normal. Biden, Pelosi, women & blacks have just all the future fish dinners for now extincted humanity they are so stupid. I play jazz as well.
Funny how all the great men are so worried about these "weak" women usurping their place and power, innit?
No offense.... But an all piano orchestra.... Just not a great idea... Maybe today with electric keyboards to give timbre and articulation contrasts... But that would just be hard to hear with all pianos.
@@micahanderson8903 It depends greatly on the arrangements and the dynamics of how it is played. Especially if some of the pianos are used for doubling. Your argument "hard to hear" could be similarly applied to a large chorale with 50 or 100 voices. Most are aware of music for two pianos, but there is also music written for three, four, five, and even six pianos as it is. Musically, the "orchestra" was apparently well received. It just wasn't financially viable.
Dorothy Donegan and Hazel Scott ...would have been unreal ! Thanks for the post !
You are welcome!
I had albums of hers as a kid, growing up in a jazz household. So glad she’s getting long overdue recognition
Any kid who had her albums in their household was a lucky kid.
What a remarkable musician. Talent in every cell. Simply stunning.
True enough.
Dorothy was so magnificent, from the 1940's to the '90's. She had an abundance of personality and style to go with all that talent. I wish I had known more about her when she was still with us.
I feel the same way.
She played with every bit as much energy, dynamics and aggression as any man. Simply amazing.
More than most.
What an amazing pianist and what a stylish lady.
Both.
OMG I could cry bc I’m just seeing her. Where Have I been 😔
Wherever you were, you had lots of company.
The elbow key got me. You win, you win. Cheers. 🇺🇸
A genius, a comedienne, and a hell of a piano player. Dorothy Donegan also made many films. God bless her.
Amen.
I love that era, fats Waller the swing , the smoke, the wardrobe, the women’s style.
Happy to dispense with the smoke, but otherwise...
My Lord!! Unfreaking believeable. What a show woman!
😲 A genius on the keys…no notes…all that music in her head…😊👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😊Thank you for educating me 😉👍👍
Glad to spread the word!
Spot on! Yes the best pianist I never heard!!! 💯🔥❤
I discovered her via the Clint Eastwood section of "Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues". That one discovery easily justified the price of the entire 7-DVD set.
There you go!
When I see talent like that... and the perfect music, I see 10's of thousands of hours of practice to get that good. Just amazing.
Agreed.
I saw her in Chicago and she literally got inside this upright piano and played the heck out of it. I was absolutely amazed. A performance I’ll always remember. 🎹🎶🎼🎶
Utterly astounding personality, ability & performance - one of the all-time greatest, no doubt‼️
You are among many like minds.
What an absolutely incredible talent she was! After some 50 yrs of listening to jazz, I just discovered her here on YT about a year ago. Bless her soul!
You beat the crowd.
I'm bowing to you Chase in appreciation of exposing me to Dorthoy someone who, criminally, at the very least, I've never heard of. But I am on humble knees before this total musical genius. The way she can morph from one style to another seamlessly, with dexterity and technique the equal of anyone I can think of, all while throwing sly humour and the showmanship factor in, is sublime. Once again, the stupidity of sexism and racism rears its ugly head, all while Dorothy rises above those things showing what having a regal spirit is all about.
I agree with all of that except for the need to bow to me! :) Kidding--I'm happy to spread the word.
Magical fingers with a musical heart to match. Humor in music, what a concept. Her showmanship matches her talent. She had everything to become a household musical name. For all she gave I hope she had a good life. Such a great video. Thanks for sharing this treasure.
I'm glad to be able to share the wealth!
Saw her live twice. She was something else. I remember she opened with a Chopin etude.
I'm envious!
Saw her at the Nice Jazz Festival in 1974. Unforgettable.
I'll bet!
Genius. As good as it gets
Listen to her all day long!
Indeed!
There is something in her playing that speaks to me.
I wish I could tell you what it is. I’ve seen many great musicians, live. Spent many a night in Greenwich Village, NYC yet her playing ……. Wish I could have met her, been in her presence. Just cool.
She was so talented, definitely unsung. Thank’s for bring her to the spotlight.
Better late than NEVER. Awesome.
Wow....a true Virtuoso!!!! Dorothy is amazing!!!!!
Agreed!
I had the immense privilege to hear Mrs. Donegan live, 40yrs ago, in a private show in France. She totally floored the audience by her incredible talent (and simplicity and constant humor, as well!). She was like a F5 tornado in the barn. Thx so much to the Hot Club de Champagne (and his hereditary and stainless president Jean-Pierre Chouleur) for that unique evening.
Thanks for relating that--you are lucky to have had that experience.
@@chasesanbornI experienced some rare and fine concerts (Lonnie Brooks in a bar ; Bob Brozman in a very small venue; Illinois Jacquet’s Big Band in a 200 seat theater; Dwight Yoakam in a small rural French village fair...). But that D.D. show (in a 80 seat private home attic !) was an incredible "smack in the face" evening... She took any request and replied : do you want it "à la Ellington" or "à la Pete Johnson" ? Blistering
I saw her many many years ago in New Orleans in a small lounge in a hotel. We spent some time with her chatting, eating, taking about music. She was a very sweet person. We were about 18 or 19 years old at the time. Fresh out of high school on our way to study music in college in New Orleans.
Cool story, thanks for sharing!
Thank for sharing African creative cultural heritage. This is how we should keep our values alive.
Happy to be able to do so.
She once described herself with the words “I’m wild but I’m polished,” and truer words were never spoken.
Freedom stemming from discipline.
Controlled Wildness
The universal key to music, life, and the rest. @@chasesanborn
Holy shit, this woman was a phenom!
Well said.
Not only was she outstandingly talented, she also was incredibly beautiful as well. Wow.
Sheesh! She was GREAT!!! Why had I never heard of her in my six decades?
You are not alone, as you can see.
these icons and geniuses can settle to the bottom of media coverage and public consciousness. thank you for being a force to bubble them back up.
I'm glad to have the opportunity, and thankful to the TH-cam algorithm which is currently putting this video in front of large numbers of viewers.
WOW,WOW,WOW!!!! What a great pianist. I'm floored by this performance. She does it with ease, like T'aint nothin to it. Awesome don't even describe her talent. Love this lady!!!
That's the way it's supposed to sound, but t'ain't easy to achieve it.
Incredible playing.. she should be more well known -definitely one of the greats 🎹❤️😊
Hopefully this video advances that cause.
I saw her live many times in her older years She was amazing still.
Wow. One fine example of girls beating boys at boy's games. A firecracker to the end. What a musical mind!
Clearly music is not a boy's game, but I understand your point.
Truly a musical treasure…. RIP Dorothy Donegan.
Had the pleasure of seeing her play
Pleasure is right!
I’m a pianist and organist.. wowwwwwwwwwwww I could listen to this all night!!!
She played with rhythmic vitality, a rich musical imagination, and a tremendous facility for the keyboard. She had lost none of her musical vitality by 1996, Watching her play drove the last sexest cobwebs out of my head for good. She plays as well as any of the stride champions including Tatum. You were correct, I hadn't heard of her - but i have now.
My job here is done.
Thanks for introduce her and her works…. The video performance is unbelieveable. so much energy
Happy to make the introduction!
Wow, this is incredible! What a beautiful and amazingly talented lady.
5:35 Even the old folks are not holding back on this jam.🫵😁
WOW, Dot, you rock. You got me movin like I haven't in a long time.
When you think you know a lot you find out you know very little. Donagan really was one of the best.
There is always something or someone to discover.
Dorothy and Mary Lou Williams knock me right out ! Phenomenal 😅😊
I am so proud to be her namesake...Dorothy... a gift from God,,,
I would love to see Franz Liszt react to this. What a nice little arrangement.
That's an interesting concept.
same concerning JSBach for the same reason
Be shure he Love it ...
Amazing is an under statement! Why am I allowed to live in the same universe as she.
Because you appreciate art.
Thank you so much for showing this wonderful pianist !!! I really didn't know her until now ...
A lot of people are just discovering her. You are in good company!
Whoa. What a virtually unknown legend. Improvising and running cycles around one of Liszt's famously difficult pieces...
She was amazing. I’m so shocked I’ve never heard of her.
As you can see, you are in good company.
@@chasesanborn I’m a studying her music after this video.
The first part of the second clip (with the Basie band) has echoes of Bill Evans. The boogie part is simply amazing--the music just flows out of her body. So sad she was so little known.
The fact that people hear various influences speaks to her breadth.
The song is I can’t get started
She has a variety of little wicked grins that keep sneaking in on her face from time to time.
Great fun!
Wow! Why wasn’t this fabulous woman virtuoso piano jazz player not recognised and far better known during her career? Thanks for making this video and bringing her to the attention of a new and appreciative audience!
I'm happy to be the messenger!
She's just brilliant! Thanks for giving her a wider audience.
richard
--
Music is the companion of joy, the medicine of sorrow.
- anonymous
I'm thankful for the opportunity to spread the word.
I discovered her in the mid 70's and went to see her every chance I got !!! She was everything!!! RIP
Such talent leaves me in awe
i can only imagine what it was like to hear this live
True for many recordings.
Wow, merci for this. What a great talent.
That's for sure!
She was a monster at the instrument!!! I definitely hear the Tatum influence.
Absolutely.
Absolutely!!!
Damn! Why was i only today years old learning about such a vibrant and talented pianist!!!!!!! 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 That woman was Hot Fire!
No time like the present!
Whoa,whoa, Woooooow!!!! Dorothy was a maverick 😍🤩the dancing people show how I felt with her uplifting and quick vibes! Trailblazers are few and usually are only applauded until the masses can fully grip their splendidness, their overqualification, their step into new directions, directions others will eventually recognize and follow the excellence that these trailblazers created. She never gave in to what others wanted her to 🎉🏆🎈be I bow and give a standing ovation, BRAVO BRAVO!!
Your enthusiasm is palpable!
She plays the piano like they are heart strings. 💕
The comments suggest she pulls on some of those too.
amazing revelation of world class talent and personality.. thank you.. a real gem..
What a find today, genius talent, you have made my day ............... WOW!!!
She's BEYOND AMAZING!!!!
Agreed.
Amazing! Can't believe that this is the first time that I recall ever hearing of her.👏
You are in good company.
Wow she swings hard!!!!!! And insane chops.
I am totally gobsmacked never knew her but wow what a treasure thank you thank you thank you
Staggering pianistic virtuosity
Indeed!