A fine pianist who was originally heavily influenced by
McCoy Tyner,
Joe Bonner is an excellent interpreter of modal-based music and advanced hard bop. He studied music at Virginia State College and early on played with
Roy Haynes (1970-1971),
Freddie Hubbard (1971-1972),
Pharoah Sanders (1972-1974), and
Billy Harper (late '70s).
Bonner, who recorded as a leader for Muse, Theresa, and most prominently Steeplechase, has been based in Colorado since the 1980s and remains a talented improviser. ~ Scott Yanow