Frank Donaldson

Frank Donaldson is a leading exponent of funk, fusion and jazz drumming, as well as an accomplished band leader. Mr. Donaldson began studying piano at age seven and switched to drums at age nine. He turned professional at age fifteen. Donaldson was a member of Archie Bell and the Drells, who had the number-one Billboard hit, "The Tighten Up." In 1969, he entered North Park College where he studied with Don Koss of the Chicago Symphony.

Throughout the 1970’s, he continued to expand his playing talents and musical options. He enrolled at the American Conservatory of Music in 1971, where he studied under James Dutton. Frank Donaldson was the percussion soloist with the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra, which gave more than thirty-eight performance of Milhaud’s "Concerto for Percussion."

Mr. Donaldson was the drummer with the Ramsey Lewis Trio for eleven years, recording four albums on Columbia Records – including one with the London Symphony Orchestra in New York. Donaldson has also toured and recorded with Curtis Mayfield, Angela Bofil, Ray Charles, George Shearing, Bill Withers, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turentine, Roy Ayers, Noel Pointer, Patty Austin, Carmen MacRae, and others.

As a member of Chamber Blues, Mr. Donaldson’s percussion work is described as "deliciously original" by the Denver Post. This is his tenth year with Chamber Blues. He is currently on the faculty of Columbia College Chicago and tours with his own jazz ensemble, as well as the Chicago Jazz Ensemble.