Donn Trenner
Donn Trenner | |
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![]() Donn Trenner (right) with Helen Carr, Sammy Herman, Joe Bianco, Nola's, New York, N.Y. ca. February 1947. Photograph by William P. Gottlieb | |
Background information | |
Born | New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. | March 10, 1927
Died | May 16, 2020 | (aged 93)
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Pianist, Conductor, arranger |
Instruments | Piano |
Associated acts | Ted Fio Rito, Charlie Barnet. |
Donald Trenner (March 10, 1927 – May 16, 2020) was an American jazz pianist and arranger born in New Haven, Connecticut.
Career[]
He began his career playing with Ted Fio Rito from 1943 to 1945, and followed this with a slot in Buddy Morrow's orchestra in 1947. He worked with Charlie Barnet in 1951 and following this with Jerry Gray, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Georgie Auld, Jerry Fielding, Skinnay Ennis, Les Brown, Dick Haymes, Jack Jones, Lena Horne, Ann-Margret, Shirley MacLaine and Nancy Wilson. In 1957 he played with Oscar Pettiford and toured Europe in 1958 with Anita O'Day. He also toured with Bob Hope entertaining the U.S. troops. Additionally, he recorded with Tommy Dorsey, Vic Schoen, Howard McGhee, Frances Faye, Betty Roche, Nelson Riddle, , Charles Mingus, and Ben Webster.
In the 1960s, Trenner worked as a studio musician, and led The Steve Allen Show house band.[1] He continued working in television throughout the 1970s and 80s.
Personal life[]
In 1966 Trenner married actress and singer B. J. Ward. Although they divorced in 1978,[2] she remained one of his closest and dearest friends until his death.[3]
Later, he married in 1990 and divorced her in 2005. They had a daughter, Sara Trenner.
Discography[]
With Dave Pell
- Jazz & Romantic Places (Atlantic, 1955)
With Betty Roché
- Take the "A" Train (Bethlehem, 1956)
With Ben Webster
- The Warm Moods (Reprise, 1961)
References[]
- ^ Paul Bass (May 31, 2013). "A Jazz Legend Reforms A "Meter Beater"". New Haven Independent.
- ^ Don Heckman (March 13, 1987). "B.J. Ward: She Talks A Good Show". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ Leave It To Me... My Life in Music, Donn Trenner and Tim Atherton
- Donn Trenner at Allmusic
External links[]
- Official website
- Donn Trenner Interview NAMM Oral History Library (2004)
- 1927 births
- 2020 deaths
- American jazz pianists
- American male pianists
- American jazz bandleaders
- Musicians from New Haven, Connecticut
- 20th-century American pianists
- Jazz musicians from Connecticut
- 21st-century American pianists
- 20th-century American male musicians
- 21st-century American male musicians
- American male jazz musicians