Donegan, Dorothy (1922–1998)

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Donegan, Dorothy (1922–1998)

African-American jazz pianist. Born April 6, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois; died May 19, 1998, in Los Angeles, California; studied at Chicago Conservatory and Chicago Musical College; m. John T. McCain, 1948; m. twice more; children: John and Donavan.

More a flamboyant performer than a recording artist, was best known for mixing swing, boogie-woogie, vaudeville, pop, ragtime and Bach in one set; at 14, was playing in the bars of Chicago's South Side; at 17, recorded for Bluebird label (1942); at 18, gave a concert at Orchestra Hall in Chicago, the 1st black performer to do so (1943). Inducted into Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame (1998).