Don Grolnick

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Don Grolnick (b. Brooklyn, NY, September 23, 1948; d. June 1, 1996) was an American jazz and pop pianist and composer, most noteworthy for his work with artists such as Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Roberta Flack, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Steps (featuring Michael Brecker, Mike Mainieri, Eddie Gomez, Steve Gadd, and Peter Erskine), David Sanborn, the Brecker Brothers, Bob Mintzer, Dave Holland and Steely Dan.

Grolnick grew up in Levittown, New York and began his young musical life playing the accordion, but later switched to piano. His interest in jazz began as a child when his father took him to a Count Basie concert, and soon after they also saw Erroll Garner perform at Carnegie Hall.

He went on to study at Tufts University with a major in philosophy, but his interest in music remained. At university he met Michael Brecker and later became involved in the Jazz fusion group Dreams (where he played alongside John Abercrombie), the funk fusion band Brecker Brothers and was an integral part of the dream team of the early 80's NYC jazz scene - Steps. He also began to explore other genres, and in 1974 began a long musical partnership with James Taylor.