Dorothy Donegan

Pianist

Dorothy Donegan was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States on April 6th, 1922 and is the Pianist. At the age of 76, Dorothy Donegan biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.

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Date of Birth
April 6, 1922
Nationality
United States
Place of Birth
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Death Date
May 19, 1998 (age 76)
Zodiac Sign
Aries
Profession
Jazz Musician, Pianist
Dorothy Donegan Height, Weight, Eye Color and Hair Color

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Dorothy Donegan Religion, Education, and Hobbies
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Dorothy Donegan Spouse(s), Children, Affair, Parents, and Family
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Dorothy Donegan Life

Dorothy Donegan (April 26, 1922 – May 19, 1998) was an American jazz pianist and singer best known for her appearances on the stride piano and boogie-woogie styles.

She has performed in bebop, swing jazz, and classical music.

Early life, family and education

Donegan was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and began studying piano in 1928. She took her first lessons from Alfred N. Simms, a West Indian pianist who also taught Cleo Brown.

She graduated from DuSable High School, where she worked with Walter Dyett, Johnny Griffin, Gene Ammons, and Von Freeman. She has also studied at the Chicago Musical College and the University of Southern California.

Personal life and demise

Donegan died of cancer at the age of 76 in Los Angeles, California.

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Dorothy Donegan Career

Career

She was known for her appearances in Chicago nightclubs. In 1942, she made her recording debut.

With Cab Calloway, Gene Rodgers, and W. C. Fields, she appeared in Sensations of 1945. Art Tatum's protege declared her "the only woman who can make me exercise." Tatum was supposed to be blind, but she knew she could see people." Donegan was the first African American to perform at Orchestra Hall in Chicago in 1943. She recalled this enthralling debut: she later shared a tale about her appearance:

Donegan, along with Billy Taylor, Milt Hinton, Art Blakey, Maxine Sullivan, Jaki Byard, and Eddie Locke, held a memorial service for Earl Hines in May 1983 at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New York City.

Compared to her performances, her first six albums were somewhat obscure. Her work was not recognized in the jazz world until the 1980s. A live appearance at the 1987 Montreux Jazz Festival as well as her live albums from 1991 were particularly lauded. And yet, she was still best known for her live performances. With her eclectic mix of styles and her flamboyant demeanor, she attracted huge audiences. In The New York Times, Ben Ratliff argued that "her flamboyance helped her find jobs in a field that was largely hostile to women." It was also her downfall, to a certain degree; her concerts were often criticized for having an excess of personality.

Donegan was outspoken about her belief that sexism, as well as her insistence on being paid the same rates as male musicians, had limited her career. Donegan earned an "American Jazz Master" fellowship from the National Endowment for the Performing Arts in 1992, and a 1994 honorary doctorate from Roosevelt University.

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