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

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