Don Preston

A very versatile keyboardist who deserves much greater recognition, Don Preston is one of the few synthesizer players to develop his own sound on the instrument. Preston played with Herbie Mann while serving in the military in the early 1950s. He was part of the Detroit jazz scene after his discharge, and in the late 1950s he moved permanently to Los Angeles, gigging with Charlie Haden in 1959. Preston performed jazz and experimental music in the 1960s, including with his group Aha! in 1963. He worked on and off with Frank Zappa from 1967-74, toured with Gil Evans in 1971 and played with Buell Neidlinger in the 1970s. A busy studio musician for decades, Preston has occasionally appeared in L.A. nightclubs playing with advanced musicians. Preston recorded a duo album with Mike Mantler in 1985 for Watt and as a leader for Echograph in 1997. ~ Scott Yanow