Joe Bonner

Joe Bonner, a pianist of considerable skill whose early style drew strong inspiration from McCoy Tyner, excels at conveying the nuances of modal compositions and sophisticated hard bop. Following his musical training at Virginia State College, he performed in the early stages of his career alongside Roy Haynes from 1970 to 1971, Freddie Hubbard between 1971 and 1972, Pharoah Sanders during 1972 to 1974, and Billy Harper in the late 1970s. Since establishing his residence in Colorado in the 1980s, Bonner—who issued recordings under his own name on the Muse, Theresa, and especially Steeplechase labels—continues to demonstrate his abilities as a skilled improviser.