Born: April 28, 1957 Primary Instrument: Piano
Dorian May’s piano artistry shapes together classic, modern and Latin jazz with Bach harmony, world and poly rhythms and he is equally at home in world music and classical music as he is with hard-swinging bebop, Cuban Salsa and down-home blues. At his shows you may hear anything from classical to TV/movie themes, children’s tunes, traditional jazz, folk songs to Cuban boleros.
His diverse collection of influences include a degree in classical piano performance, keyboardist in a touring Emerson, Lake & Palmer tribute band, high-school band director, world percussionist/accompanist at world music and jazz festivals and currently leader & arranger for several Mendocino and Sonoma-county based jazz and Latin bands.
When not performing, practicing or teaching he is working on his own unique improvisational system based on George Russell’s Lydian chromatic concept, which he hopes to publish in the near future.
The Dorian May Trio includes Dorothea, his wife, on upright bass and veteran coastal drummer Tom Rickard.
