Dorothy Donegan (April 6, 1922 — May 19, 1998) was a classically trained ja… Read Full Bio ↴Dorothy Donegan (April 6, 1922 — May 19, 1998) was a classically trained jazz pianist primarily known for performing in the stride piano and boogie-woogie style. She also played bop, swing jazz, and classical music. Obituaries for her argued that her flamboyant personality, tendency to mix unrelated genres in the same concert, and willingness to do lounge music may have caused her to be undervalued in jazz circles.
Donegan was born and grew up in Chicago, Illinois and began studying classical piano at age six. In her early years, she studied at the Chicago Musical College and by age eight her potential was recognized. In the 1940s she became Art Tatum's protégée and in 1942 she made her recording debut. She appeared in Sensations of 1945 with Cab Calloway, Gene Rodgers and W. C. Fields and was known for her work in Chicago nightclubs. She began a trio in 1945, but then returned to solo work. She expressed some interest in returning to classical music after this.
Her first six albums would prove to be obscure when compared to her success at live performance. It was not until the 1980s that her work gained notice in the recorded jazz world, and her live albums from 1991 perhaps gained her the most acclaim. Even at that point, she remained best known for concerts and live performances. At these she would draw crowds with her eclectic mixture of styles and her personality. She died of cancer in 1998 in Los Angeles, California and in the same year was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame.
Donegan was born and grew up in Chicago, Illinois and began studying classical piano at age six. In her early years, she studied at the Chicago Musical College and by age eight her potential was recognized. In the 1940s she became Art Tatum's protégée and in 1942 she made her recording debut. She appeared in Sensations of 1945 with Cab Calloway, Gene Rodgers and W. C. Fields and was known for her work in Chicago nightclubs. She began a trio in 1945, but then returned to solo work. She expressed some interest in returning to classical music after this.
Her first six albums would prove to be obscure when compared to her success at live performance. It was not until the 1980s that her work gained notice in the recorded jazz world, and her live albums from 1991 perhaps gained her the most acclaim. Even at that point, she remained best known for concerts and live performances. At these she would draw crowds with her eclectic mixture of styles and her personality. She died of cancer in 1998 in Los Angeles, California and in the same year was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame.
Dorothy's Boogie Woogie
Dorothy Donegan Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Dorothy Donegan:
A Foggy Day I was a stranger in the city Out of town were…
Begin The Beguine When they begin the beguine It brings back the sound of…
Body And Soul My heart is sad and lonely For you I sigh, for…
Bye Bye Blackbird No one here can love or understand me Oh, what hard…
Here's That Rainy Day Maybe I should have saved those left over dreams Funny, but…
I Only Have Eyes for You My love must be a kind of blind love I can't…
I'll Remember April This lovely day will lengthen into evening We'll sigh goodby…
I've Got You Under My Skin I've got you under my skin. I've got you deep in…
Lullaby of Birdland Lullaby of Birdland, that's what I Always hear when you…
On Green Dolphin Street It seems like a dream, yet I know it happened A…
September Song Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December But…
St. Louis Blues I hate to see that evening sun go down I hate…
Sweet Lorraine Everything is set, skies are blue, Can't believe it yet, bu…
That Old Black Magic Old black magic has me in its spell Old black magic…
The Man I Love Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid. It's not a…
There Is No Greater Love There is no greater love Than what I feel for you No…
These Foolish Things Oh! Will you never let me be? Oh! Will you never…
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life You are the sunshine of my life That's why I'll always…
You Go To My Head You go to my head And you linger like a haunting…
You're The Sunshine Of My Life You are the sunshine of my life That's why I'll always…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@csmarkham
I was today years old when I learned of dorothy Donegan. Her fills and clean speed are stunning. So happy to have experienced a virtuoso—also stunned it took me 60 years to find her.
@JennyDinVa
You beat me by 8 days. WOW oh WOW, she was an incredible force! Now I'm looking for everything by her. I am blown away.
@ayndowney9401
Join the crowd, I did not know of her until just last week. I grew up in Chicago and I just recognized that she was one of the most beautiful, exceptional, talented people from that city😊😅🎉😂❤
@annanardo2358
She is fantastic ! WHY was she hidden from the mainstream ?? America was deprived of her talent. I never heard of her, she was a gem and played better than many others. A fine from della cream pianist. TOP SHELF...... A magnificent high magnitude talent. Much respect.
@hetmanjz
I wouldn't call appearing on the Ed Sullivan show being hidden, though I'm sure she faced challenges in her career for expected reasons.
@aaronaragon7838
The woman is a virtuoso. She should be a household name.
@foolmenow00
Uhm, hmmm, ugh, likely jusst not quite light enuf, my friend!
@plrndl
"WHY was she hidden from the mainstream ??" Because she was black, and a woman.
@plrndl
@@hetmanjz The mainstream routinely allows brief incursions into its monopoly, to demonstrate its "inclusivity", and to brush off weak-willed challenges to that monopoly.
@mzbea4996
I was thrilled i saw her up close and personal in Chicago at the jazz showcase.