Join Kairos as they celebrate the end of July with a Hammond B3 Blowout Celebration. Eastbay jazz organist, Craig Browning, teams up with Kairos for 3 incredible nights of jazz, R&B, funk, and world music. If you dig the music of Jack McDuff, Jimmy Smith, and Jimmy McGriff, be there at El Jardin.
Donny’s debut CD, Ãguia, is in creative development with his new world-group, Kairos. Ãguia has been funded by the Stanislaus Arts Council and is dedicated to the children who are victims of domestic violence. More details will follow soon regarding Ãguia's philanthropic endeavors. www.artsway.org
West 34th Street - Living with his grandparents, Charles and Nora, Donny's ears were already intuitive to the harmonies of jazz, funk, and R&B. At the age of 10, he was learning chord structure by his grandfather on their classic Wurlitzer electric piano and Moog. And after many long nights (late in the midnight hour!) of choir rehearsals with mom in those church pews, he would then understand the discipline and focus needed for his future as an accomplished pianist, composer, instructor, and director.
Donny was introduced to music in his hometown of Indianapolis, IN. He later moved to St. Louis at the age of 16 with his family. While living in St. Louis, his father encouraged him to explore the city's rich heritage of the arts and urban culture. At the start of his first St. Louis summer, Donny found himself working as a ballet accompanist at the studio of choreographer, Taures Alexander. Later in the fall, Donny began attending Webster Groves High School. From the competitions of the IAJE and to the festivals such as the French Quarter Fest in New Orleans, he learned much about jazz performing with their award winning ensembles. His love for jazz grew much more in the St. Louis metropolitan area to where he would then find a piano seat with a few academia big bands (Webster Groves University, Washington Univeristy).
Donny’s father once again encouraged him more to reach beyond his gospel roots and jazz nuances. That being said...by night he worked his keyboard with the Melvin Turnage R&B band along with a few casinos and clubs (thanks guys for sneaking me pass security!). And as for those high school weekends, he would play the St. Louis wedding circuit and groove to ska and funk with his buddies, Sharon and Eric. Prior to leaving for college, he led the Donny Reynolds Trio at Double Tree Hotel for sunday brunches.
Donny is an IAJE recipient of many awards in Indiana and Missouri. Pulling from the time spent studying under educators, Bill Kohler and Ron Carter at Northern Illinois University, and along with Jimmy McDaniels (m/d to Nat "King" Cole and Sammy Davis Jr.), Donny now works as a music director. He composes, arranges, and teaches on various artistic platforms from musical theatre to R&B and jazz showcases throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Soul Review (SR) continues with great classic R&B at the Roux in Santana Row. Upcoming showcases for the Fall 2009 at Roux will be posted soon. Kairos will continue at El Jardin. Kairos will perform a few SR classics, but will bring together world grooves from genres such as Songo and Highlife.
If you live here within the San Francisco Bay or perhaps you're on vacation, stop by and say hello. Donny performs regularly with Soul Review & Kairos in Santana Row. www.santanarow.com.
(Soul Review & Kairos dates are subject to change, call prior venues to confirm.)
**Do you dig musical theatre?
**Can you read music well?
**Do you live in the south bay or can travel to the Southbay?
Donny needs for a 15 piece ensemble for the new musical, Let the Eagle Fly, the story of Cesar Chavez. This opportunity compensates and is open to NON-UNION musicians only (sorry, no strings either, except acoustic bass). Find Donny at
[email protected].
SAVE THE DATE IF YOU LOVE MUSICAL THEATRE!....Join Donny along with theatre directors, Dr. Ethel Walker and Buddy Buttler for these execting productions at San Jose State Univeristy. (all showtimes and dates will be announced soon)
- The Colored Museum by George C. Wolfe
- Cinderella by Charles Perrault
