Joe Bonner (April 20, 1948 – November 20, 2014) was an American jazz pianist. Influenced by McCoy Tyner and Art Tatum, he specialized in the hard bop and modal jazz styles.
Biography Bonner was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina and studied at Virginia State College, but indicated that he learned more about music from musicians he worked with. In the 1970s, he played with Roy Haynes, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, and Billy Harper, among others. He died of heart disease in Denver at the age of 66.
Discography
As leader Year recordedTitleLabelPersonnel/Notes1974The LifesaverMuseSolo piano1975TriangleWhynotTrio, with Clint Houston (bass), Billy Hart (drums)1974–76Angel EyesMuseWith Billy Harper (tenor sax), Leroy Jenkins (violin), Juini Booth (bass), Jimmy Hopps (drums), Linda Sharrock (vocals)1979ParadeSteepleChaseTrio, with Johnny Dyani (bass), Billy Higgins (drums)1981Impressions of CopenhagenTheresaWith Eddie Shu (trumpet), Holly Hofmann (flute), Carol Michalowski and Peggy Sullivan (violin), Carol Garrett (viola), Beverly Woolery (cello), Paul Warburton (bass), J. Thomas Tilton (drums)1983DevotionSteepleChaseSolo piano1983Suburban FantasiesSteepleChaseDuo, with Johnny Dyani (bass)1985Suite for ChocolateSteepleChaseWith Khan Jamal (vibraphone), Jesper Lundgaard (bass), Leroy Lowe (drums)1987The Lost MelodySteepleChaseQuartet, with Bob Rockwell (tenor sax), Jesper Lundgaard (bass), Jukkis Uotila (drums)1988New LifeSteepleChaseTrio, with Hugo Rasmussen (bass), Aage Tanggaard (drums)1988?New BeginningsEvidenceMost tracks solo piano; some tracks duo, with unknown (bass)1991MonkismsCapriSolo piano; released around 20012001?Lights OutAkashicAs The Bonner Party; quartet, with Prasanna Bishop (saxes), Artie Moore-Acoustic (bass), Charles Ayash (drums)2003The Art of Jazz PianoBlack OrchardSolo piano2013?Current EventsCherry Sound
Compilation Two & One (Steeplechase); with Johnny Dyani (bass)
As sideman With Richard Davis Epistrophy & Now's the Time (Muse, 1972) With Billy Harper Black Saint (Black Saint, 1975) With Azar Lawrence Bridge into the New Age (Prestige, 1974) With Barbara Paris Where Butterflies Play (Perea Productions, 1992) P.S. I Love You (Perea Productions, 12/10/2000) Happy Talk (Perea Productions, 2002) With Pharoah Sanders Black Unity (Impulse!, 1971) Live at the East (Impulse!, 1972) Village of the Pharoahs (Impulse!, 1973) Elevation (Impulse!, 1973) Love in Us All (Impulse!, 1972–73) Wisdom Through Music (Impulse!, 1973) Journey to the One (Theresa, 1980) Rejoice (Theresa, 1981) With Woody Shaw Love Dance (Muse, 1975) With Harold Vick Don't Look Back (Strata-East, 1974) With The Visitors Motherland (Muse, 1975) With Stephanie Hancock This Happy Madness (DaJazz, 2001)
References
External links The Bonner Party's site Artist direct