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Don Wilner

Don Wilner- bassist, performs in both the classical and jazz genres. He earned a Doctorate in Music and taught at the University of Miami, was the Principal Bassist and a featured soloist with the Palm Beach Pops, and the Assistant Principal Bassist with the Miami City Ballet for many years.

Don can be heard on his CD's- Estrada Do Sol (with Duduka Da Fonseca, Harry Allen, Mike Orta, Sammy Figueroa), Figments Of My Imagination (with Eric Alexander, Kenny Drew, Jr., Mike Orta) , Mysterious Beauty (with Mike Renzi, Grady Tate), Eddie Higgins’ Picture in Black & White, Annette Sanders collaboration with Mike Renzi, Everything I Love, as well as on many other recordings.

He is the author of several articles on jazz bass, including "Interactive Jazz Improvisation in the Bill Evan’s Trio."

Don was named "Best Jazz Musician" in Miami New Times Magazine Best of Miami Issue .

An outstanding accompanist and soloist, he has performed and recorded with George Coleman, Maureen McGovern, Mark Murphy, Carmen McRae, James Moody, Ceder Walton, Tom Harrell, Fred Hersch, Toots Theilmans, Hubert Laws, Eddie Harris, Dizzy Gillespie, Nat Adderley, Peter Nero, Harry Allen, Scott Hamilton, John Abercrombie, Adam Nussbaum, Michell LeGrand, Marion McPartland, and many others.

Named Best Jazz Musician in Miami New Times Magazine Best of Miami Issue 2000. Dr. Wilner originated, promoted, and sustained the jazz music program at the Van Dyke for 13 years (until it was sold in 2007), which New Times labeled Best Jazz Club in Miami numerous times.

"Wilner is one of the rare symphony musicians capable of first-rate jazz. His solos and interchanges . . . are lovely, and his upper-range arco playing has the vocal-like quality of a ‘cello. Much of the program (with Higgins) has a Blanton-Ellington feel, rather than the usual ‘piano with rhythm’." critic Art Hilgart.

Doug Ramsey, the well-known music critic for Jazz Times Magazine, wrote "Wilner is an astonishing bass player whether bowing, walking, interacting . . . or covering the instrument from top to bottom in his pizzicato solos. His purity of tone and breadth of technique may come from his classical background. They are matched by a time feeling achieved only by musicians with a bone-deep jazz sensibility."

“Bassist Don Wilner alone is worth a trip to Miami Beach.” (Posted on Yahoo Travel Guide- The Van Dyke Café)

Awards

New Times Miami Best Jazz Musician


Tags

183
Album Review

Don Wilner: Figments of My Imagination

Read "Figments of My Imagination" reviewed by Javier AQ Ortiz


The Musical Director of the Van Dyke Café, Miami Beach's leading jazz venue, serves the diminutive jazz audiences of South Florida quality music by accompanying various passing guests, as well asperforming with local ensembles, including his own. Figments of My Imagination, his second release under his name, is Don Wilner's latest. Take heed of this Brazilian enthused jazz recording featuring Eric Alexander and Kenny Drew, Jr.

Antonio Carlos Jobim enthusiasts will be happy to find the rest of ...

141
Album Review

Don Wilner: Mysterious Beauty

Read "Mysterious Beauty" reviewed by Javier AQ Ortiz


Quick and to the Point: Elegantly classy, swinging affair.

There is little mystery to the beauty of Mysterious Beauty. Easy instructions for home assembly of this recording follow graceful compositions of proven caliber. The repertoire includes materials from Porgy and Bess, Carmen, an all too brief Charlie Parker tune, “Danny Boy,” Brazilian music, a Ukrainian classical-folk theme sieved through jazz and more. All themes are arranged at a high level of musicality, bringing forth a listening experience heavily ...

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Primary Instrument

Bass, acoustic

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Miami Dade College University of Miami

Photos

Music

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