Current Resume 9.14.2009

Donald L. Wilner, D.M.A.
18470 NW 19 St., Pembroke Pines, FL. 33029
954.270.7136
e-mail: donwilner@hotmail.com

www.donwilner.com

Bi-lingual- English/Spanish

I. EDUCATION

University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida (1995)

Dissertation Title: Interactive Jazz Improvisation in the Bill Evans. Trio (1959-61):  A Stylistic Study for Advanced Double Bass Performance

University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida (1991)

Studies included Jazz Arranging, Orchestration, MIDI, Film Scoring, Conducting, Audio for Producers

University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida (1988)

PRIMARY INSTRUCTORS:

Lucas Drew, Ed.D, Donald Coffman, Ronald Miller, Gary Lindsay, Vince Maggio (UM)

ADDITIONAL STUDIES:

II. PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT

MUSICAL DIRECTOR

 -Upstairs at the Van Dyke Café

             

The Van Dyke Café (Miami Beach, 1994-2006)

                       

            Responsibilities: Set up, promoted, administered, and sustained an award-winning jazz music program.  My jazz program there regularly featured the best local groups (many of which I created and arranged for) as well nationally and internationally renowned jazz artists, with whom I also performed, including Joe Williams, Ceder Walton, George Coleman, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, Houston Person, Toots Thielemans, John Abercrombie, Tania Maria, Tom Harrell, Adam Nussbaum, Slide Hampton, Eddie Henderson, Frank Wess, James Moody, Randy Brecker, Claudio Roditi, Roseanna Vitro, Bob DeVos, Joe Cohn, Brian Lynch, Ken Peplowski, Grady Tate, Mark Murphy, Joe LaBarbera, Dena DeRose, Rosa Passos, Pery Ribeiro, Harry Allen, Norman Simmons, Freddy Cole, Mose Allison, Andy Laverne, John Bunch, Don Friedman, Richie Cole, Scott Hamilton, Dave Valentin, Mike Renzi, Bob Mover, Tommy Smith, Fred Hersch, Bobby Watson, Kenny Drew, Jr., Bill Charlap, Ray Vega, John Colianni, Dave Frishberg, Vincent Herring, Barry Ries, Gerry Brown, Johnny O’Neil, Eric Alexander, John Hicks, Danny Gottlieb, Bobby Shew, Pee Wee Ellis, Claudia Acuna, Jerry Weldon, Joe Farnsworth and many others.

In addition to the need for excellent management skills, my position as music director also required maintaining a good relationship with the local press, community, and radio.  Under my direction, the music program of the Van Dyke Café became internationally known, was regarded as the best jazz club in Miami and one of the top jazz spots in the country for its thirteen-year existence, winning many awards.  The inclusion of many quality sub-genres of jazz into the program (Latin, Brazilian, blues, straight-ahead, etc.) helped to attract a substantial amount of attention and community involvement.  Additionally, The Van Dyke Cafe was chosen by the JVC Jazz Festival to host the most straight-ahead concerts for its jazz series since the first JVC-Miami festival.

My responsibilities also included installation and maintenance of the stage, lighting, and electronic equipment to facilitate a high level of performance, as well as budgeting, booking, advertising, and payroll.

Working with the staff and management and gaining their understanding and cooperation was a vital aspect of producing the highest quality musical performances and maintaining the reputation of the program as South Florida’s finest live jazz venue.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

Certification for teaching blended courses (classroom/internet) expected 11/09

Responsibilities: Double Bass Lessons, Theory and Ear Training, Orchestral Bass Section Coaching, Double Bass Orchestral Excerpts Class, Class Piano, UM Symphony Principal Bass

Responsibilites: Jazz Bass Lessons, Juries, Jazz Ear Training, Jazz Combo and Bass Ensemble Coaching

Responsibilities: Jazz Arranging, Jazz Ear Training, Jazz Bass Lessons, Jazz Styles and Analysis, Juries

Responsibilities: Music Appreciation

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE (highlights):

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT:

FREELANCE ENGAGEMENTS WITH:

Dizzy Gillespie, Mongo Santamaria, Mose Allison, Nat Adderley, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Anita O’Day, Tom Harrell, Ray Charles, Anthony Newley, Eddie Higgins, Gerry Niewood, Hendrik Muerkins, Harry Allen, Rosemary Clooney, James Taylor, Hubert Laws, Della Reese,  Jerry Lewis, Vic Damone, Buddy DeFranco, John Hicks, Eddie Henderson, Ceder Walton, Connie Francis, Marvin Hamlisch, Shirley Jones, Maureen McGovern, Grover Washington, Jr., Bernadette Peters, Bucky Pizzarelli, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Doc Severinsen, Roger Williams, Byron Stripling, Ira Sullivan, Toni Tenille, Clark Terry, Roger Williams, Henry Mancini, Judy Collins, Fifth Dimension, Victor Borge, Pete Minger, Barry Reis, Michael Feinstein, Barbara Carol, and many others.

III. ACHIEVEMENTS

PUBLICATIONS:

SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY (CDs):

*producer, arranger, bassist

AWARDS:

MASTER CLASSES, SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS, AND LECTURES (selected):

IV. PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

V. REFERENCES:

PO Box 1798, Flagler Beach, FL 32136  386-445-6917

73 Holly Park Circle, San Francisco, CA 94110 415-826-9643

 

VI. MISCELLANEOUS: